So what exactly is eco-hosting?

Eco-hosting provides consumers with a planet-friendly way to get the web service they need and give back to the environment at the same time. However, there are plenty of eco-hosts, each offering a wide variety of services, reliability, and sustainable practices. They are taking initiative to minimize the impact they have on the environment.

Because web hosts tend to use a lot of energy, the concept of green web hosting is really a breath of fresh air.  Their main goal, generally, is to offset the carbon emissions they release into the environment. To do this, they usually use one of three methods.

The company may purchase Renewable Energy Credits, which represent renewable energy sources purchased from an electrical company. They may strive to use less energy in their daily business ongoings, such as incorporating solar panels, enforcing recycling, eliminating paper, carpooling, and other greener avenues. Finally, they give directly back to the environment, such as through planting trees.

The short version is, there are so many different web hosting options, you definitely want to choose what is right for you.

Companies on board

A main goal of many eco-hosts is to try to meet lower carbon emissions targets and do something for the planet, too. Ecohosting.co.uk, for example, not only offers quality customer service and low prices, but their steps to help the environment go above and beyond. For each host, they plant a tree in the United Kingdom, in managed places in the area. They are currently supporting The Alladale Reserve in Scotland, and Alladale and the company are supporting the Challenger Trust, which gives kids experiences in enjoying outdoor activities, nature studies, and  tree planting. They also are a carbon neutral company.

Another unique approach is from ecohosting.com, which provides opportunities for free hosting for charities. Charitable organizations can sign up for themeselves with a non-charity client, and the company offers the equivalent value hosting for free for a year.

Another UK company, ecowebhosting.co.uk, included web hosting packages that are all 100 percent carbon neutral. They carefully calculate the carbon emissions produced as a result of their web server working 24/7, then offset these emissions by planting trees at Ransomwood Business Park in Nottinghamshire. Their goal is to be a carbon-positive company, because the young age of the trees will continue to absorb more and more carbon as they grow. They feel this is more effective than using renewable energy, because of the ongoing positive impact on the environment. They have planted 300 English Oak trees to date, which at present absorb more than three times the carbon produced by their servers.

Many companies go the route of renewable energy, and that includes iPage, a web hosting company that is 100 percent wind powered. Not only are they reliable and offer many packages that consumers need, iPage is a wind-energy leader, offsetting the carbon emissions of their data centers and offices by purchasing renewable energy credits. These credits are, in turn, then used to generate wind energy and providing consumers with a greener website.

Dubbed as the world’s number one green host, greengeeks.com takes plenty of steps to maintain their greenness. They work with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to buy wind energy credits to offset their energy consumption, and in 2009 was invited to join the US. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Partner program. They also reconfigure their servers so they run cooler and more efficiently using less energy. They reduce their office carbon footprint with recycling and minimizing printing, employ auto lighting control systems, and power down all office equipment when not in use. But it doesn’t end there. Employees take turns bringing in meals to reduce the amount of waste from take out food, and they use telecommuting when possible to minimize commutes and emissions.

Choosing a company that has a commitment to going green is an excellent way to start exploring the web hosting market. These are just some of the options available, but after you find a package you need, consider a
certified green web hosting provider as you choice for staying sustainable.

Founded in 2003, the company has since then has built itself into a solid business with over 1400 employees and over $16 million in sales as of 2010. Their cars have been geared more toward the high end sports car audience– not necessarily for the average family man–but it would seem that the Model X might change all that.

As Tesla says, they have focused the next lot where utility meets performance. Their newest addition to the lineup is the Model X, described as an SUV that carries the benefits of a minivan, in the only way that an electric car can. It has a sleek design that resembles a lean SUV far more than a minivan. It houses an array of technological advances, all nestled within subtle curves that make up the exterior.  It is built with a center of gravity lower than any other SUV, allowing it to feel nimble yet solid on the open road. Developed with an optional Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive system, it’s able to handle everything mother nature can throw in its path, without leaving a trace. It boasts an acceleration of 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds.

We have to take a moment to appreciate the design of the doors. The Falcon Wings, allow parking in tight spaces and even let 7 people to step into the vehicle comfortably. With a front console that appears to rival many of the tablets on the market, the Model X enables the passengers to get as much information and entertainment as possible.

What’s most incredible about the Model X, above the fancy doors, nimble handling and the sleek exterior is that it runs entirely on battery power. Not even one tiny drop of gasoline is ever required, with a battery that spans nearly the entire base of the car. There are two options: 60 kWh and 85 kWh; given that the Roadster is capable of traveling just over 500 km on a single charge it will be interesting to see what records the Model X will be breaking.

Multiple sources have stated the Model X may reach a top price of $100,000, with all the bells and whistles, but you can expect it to be light years ahead of the crowd. According to recent studies, Canadians alone spend on average about $2,300 a year on gas, and, in many cases, more.

Tesla is the Apple Inc of the car industry; they may be many years ahead of the competition but the competition will eventually catch up. Let’s just hope this catching up is sooner than later, and in the meanwhile, schedule a test drive, and experience the way green driving should be.

Information provided by Tesla Motors, Forbes, and Statistics Canada
Image courtesy of Tesla Motors

Teams from The Boeing Company in Huntington Beach, California, Lockheed Martin in Palmdale, California, and Northrop Grumman in El Segundo, California have come together and spent the last year studying how to reach the goals of NASA to build and develop a technology that will allow any forms of future aircrafts to use up fifty percent less fuel that current aircrafts that they have been using since 1998. They are also exploring how to integrate 75 percent fewer harmful emissions, and how to ultimately shrink the size of any geographic areas that are affected by excessive airport noise by 83 percent in total.

These flying machines, which they dub as “leaner and greener” are on tap for the year 2025. The three industry teams are currently under contract to the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate’s Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project.

“The real challenge is we want to accomplish all these things simultaneously,” said ERA project manager Fay Collier in their press release. “It’s never been done before. We looked at some very difficult metrics and tried to push all those metrics down at the same time.”

The three teams have been awarded just under $11 million by NASA to put this challenge to work. They are assessing what kinds of aircraft designs and technologies could help reach the goals for the fuel use, emissions, and noise. The companies have just given NASA their results.

They are currently looking through the studies and seeing what their next steps are.

The Boeing Company’s advanced aircraft concept is built around the company’s signature blended wing body design that is also used in the sub-scale remotely piloted X-48. The X-48 has has been both wind tunnel tested at NASA’s Langley Research Center, as well as flown at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. A notable aspect of these design, compared to the others and the current airplanes that are used, is the placement of its Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines. These engines are placed on top of the plane’s back end, and flanked by two vertical tails to shield people on the ground from engine noise. In addition to the different placement of the engines, the aircraft also features an advanced lightweight, damage tolerant, composite structure; various technologies for reducing airframe noise; advanced flight controls; hybrid laminar flow control, which is a design to help reduce the amount of drag; and long-span wings which improve fuel efficiency.

Conversely, Lockheed Martin explored the aircraft from a different angle. The team proposed a completely different design, including box wings, which means the front wing is mounted on the lower belly of the plane and is joined at the tips to an aft wing mounted on top of the plane. The crew at Martin have studied the box wing concept for three decades, but has not put anything into fruition as they have been waiting for lightweight composite materials, landing gear technologies, hybrid laminar flow and other tools to make it a viable configuration. The proposal combines the unique design with a Rolls Royce Liberty Works Ultra Fan Engine, which has a bypass ratio that is approximately five times greater than current engines, spanning over current limits of turbofan technology.

The third company, Northrop Grumman, took some of their company history, aiming for the previous 1930s and 40s designs, which a flying wing reminiscent of its B-2 aircraft. The concept includes four high-bypass engines, provided by Rolls Royce and embedded in the upper surface of the aerodynamically efficient wing would provide noise shielding. Because of the company’s expertise in building planes without the benefit of a stabilizing tail, this ideally would be transferred to the commercial airline market. Their version of the aircraft also incorporates advanced composite materials and engine and swept wing laminar flow control technologies.

The three studies have revealed that though NASA’s three goals (to reduce emissions, fuel consumption, and noise), are doable but definitely a challenge. Though the three preliminary designs from The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman have all met the goal of reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides by 50 percent, the other two challenges (noise and fuel consumption) are still under research. They did have a reduction in fuel consumption (about fifty percent), but the noise aspect isn’t yet under control.

“All of the teams have done really great work during this conceptual design study,” say Mark Mangelsdorf, ERA Project chief engineer. “Their results make me excited about how interesting and different the airplanes on the airport ramp could look in 20 years. Another great result of the study is that they have really helped us focus where to invest our research dollars over the next few years,” he said.

NASA’s ERA project officials do believe that all of the goals can be met if small gains in noise and fuel consumption reduction can be achieved, in addition to those projected in the industry studies. The results of the three tests have brought forth research and conclusions on the current technology and design hurdles that airline manufacturers are facing in trying to design these leaner, greener flying machines. In turn, this will ultimately help guide NASA’s environmentally responsible aviation investment strategy for the second half of its six-year project.

Source

This innovation in television sets will be launched at the International Consumer Electronics Show January 10th through 13th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Every year, this event brings together the innovators on technology’s cutting edge.

LG Electronics is an old favorite at the show, and this year marks their debut of the new 72-inch LZ9700, the world’s largest FULL LED-backlight LCD 3D TV (FULL LED 3D TV). The LZ9700 gives viewers life-sized action with a beautifully crisp picture in both 2D and 3D.

The television is fitted with LG’s innovative FULL LED technology, meaning it runs through an illuminated full panel of LEDs that sit directly behind the screen. This, then, produces pictures as colorful, vivid, and lifelike as an in person viewing or a painting.

“Our objective has always been to actively define and lead emerging display technology markets,” Sang Beom Han, chief executive and executive vice president of LG Display, told the Times of India newspaper.

The extra large, 72-inch FULL LED screen size also makes the picture more expansive than ever. A huge viewing area is available to enable viewers to experience superb picture quality with detailed images as big as, or larger than, real life.

In addition to these key features, the LZ9700 also has comfortable 3D viewing. The combination of the largest FULL LED screen and another level to the depth in its picture, it brings viewers even deeper into the experience.

Another key feature is the TruMotion 400Hz, which delivers a super-fast processing rate for exceptionally smooth 3D images.

“The LZ9700 combines the ultimate in LG’s picture quality with our latest developments in 3D TV,” said Mr. Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company. “With the LZ9700, LG is poised to take the lead in the TV market with the world’s largest FULL LED screen that delivers a truly outstanding TV viewing experience.”

Han adds, “Although OLED technology is seen as the future of TV display, the technology has been limited to smaller display sizes and by high costs, until now. LG Display’s 55-inch OLED TV panel has overcome these barriers.”

The television is also complete with the use of LG’s signature Smart TV functions. The Home Dashboard helps users engage themselves in premium content from both local and global providers, along with access to LG’s growing collection of TV apps. Like any other apps, these include everything from productivity to language to games to more.

The Magic Motion Remote Control, adds even more to this, working cleanly along with the television with its magic wand-like awesomeness.

The LZ9700 will be available to customers early 2011; additional details to follow in local markets.

Technical specs:
FULL LED-backlight LCD 3D TV
72-inch class
TruMotion 400Hz
Micro Pixel Control (Local Dimming)
Smart TV
Magic Motion Remote Control
Smart Share (DLNA, Media Link, USB, etc.)

Interested in more organic technology? Read more about organic batteries, Fuji EnviroMAX, and FutureRouters.

Green or eco printing is bringing the three Rs into the realm of the printing industry. Recycling, reducing, and reusing are at the forefront, using minimal resources for advertising and print media.

Eco printing also brings in the use of inks that are make of low Volatile Organic Chemicals (also known as VCOs). The paper is recycled, and printed using energy-efficient equipment and laser cartridges.

There are many benefits to printing with the earth in mind. From an environmental sense, it assists in both conservation and preservation. By just using recycled paper, there is a huge reduction in costs and waste in the paper manufacturing industry. Often when producing paper, there is plenty of solid waste; instead, manufacturers are re-creating ways to reduce and eliminate that waste. In turn, more trees also live longer lives.

Eco printing also relies on using refurbished printer cartridges, which are recycled and resold. This creates less waste, and because they are made to be recycled, they no longer are simply thrown into landfills.

Many manufacturers and companies are now selling paper made from post-consumer waste, which is also free of any chemicals such as chlorine. Even better, since the advent of these new products, they are no longer low quality or of lesser value. At first, paper was yellowed, thinner, or ink was duller. Now, manufacturers have produced high quality supplies that are better for the environment and, often, your wallet.

However, it is not just manufacturers and supplies that are improving. Companies that offer any sort of Custom Printing Service strive to meet your needs, as well. They use these materials and low-cost solutions to create output and products that suit your earth friendly product.

Offices can take advantage of implementing eco-friendly printing practices in their business. ENERGY STAR® printers “sleep” or automatically shut off when they aren’t in use. These printers often cut energy by about 60 percent and require less maintenance.

Because of this, these printers can save on resources, and designed with minimalism in mind, save on paper when they do automatic double-sided printing, and often have color toner modules that can be replaced separately.

They also benefit the air quality with higher standards for emissions and less general noise pollution, as well.

For details on office machines and eco-printing, see Office Machines – Laser Printers from the Green California website.

Northwestern University also offers tips on keeping technology green:

• When you step away from the computer, turn off the monitor.
• Eliminate the screen saver – it often doesn’t save energy – so instead, have the computer “sleep” after 10 minutes of inactivity.
• Unplug items when they aren’t in use, such as your phone after it is charged. This also increases the lifespan of your electronics.
• Before printing, carefully proofread so you only print once.
• Save and store documents on your computer, backing up often, instead of printing unnecessary items.
• Automatically print double-sided.
• Use recycled paper, ink, and toner.
• Decrease the font size to reduce the number of pages that are printed in total, and change margins to one inch.
• Schedule videoconferences with e-handouts instead of printing out copies.
• Choose ENERGY STAR® items, which use 70 percent less electricity than units without power management features while in sleep mode.

For more information on eco-printing and ENERGY STAR items, see the information provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy

If spreading awareness on the environment is a goal of yours, giving commercials for your products, or showcasing our planet in its glory, this is a way to do it.

Mediacore is designed for – you guessed it – media. It is specifically designed for managing and creating video and audio. It provides users with full control of the platform, and everything is up to you. A single media library lets you develop your own videos or upload from other sites, such as YouTube. Whether you’re on your desktop or mobile device, it provides highly reliable storage, and gets the word out as soon as you upload it.

Sound complex? Not it all.

Customers can upload content into the platform’s cloud-based infrastructure, and then the videos play through MediaCore’s player. The best part is you don’t have to worry about which type of browser the user is connecting with. Instead, Mediacore does it automatically, sorting out whether to launch it in Flash and HTML5. Videos can be uploaded in many formats, among them  AVI, 3GP, FLV, MOV, MP3, MP4, MPEG, WAV, WMA, WMV, and others.  Just upload, and Mediacore does the rest.

Visitors to your videos can browse your collections through a visual guide. You can easily organize your videos by category or tag, and the platform will automatically group your content by relevance and popularity.

For full customization, you can add your company or personal logo, a specific backgrounds, and change around the CSS to customize the appearance of the site. You can also add your own domain, making it the perfect branding fit to your organization.

If you’re looking for building your company even more, Mediacore has you covered. The designers built MediaCore with Google, Yahoo, and Bing in the forefront, creating video sitemaps, metadata, and permalinks for search engines to index your content in their search results and, most importantly, for you to be found.

In addition to videos, you can create podcasts.  Just enter the details and submit it to iTunes. MediaCore lets you create as many podcasts as you want. Available in either audio or video format, they each have their own RSS feed and landing page.

MediaCore is currently offering a 15-day free trial, and after that, plans range from $99 to $499 a month. Those plans all include custom domains, white label player, custom branding, automated encoding, mobile apps for Android and iOS, social video embeds, and other key features.

Unlike some companies where the smallest rate plan gets you not much at all, Mediacore is different. Individuals, non-profit charities, and small business can take advantage of the low $99 fee. This includes all of the same features, along with 50 GB storage, 100 GB, 10 user administrators, and email support. 100 GB of bandwidth equals to about 14,000 minutes (233 hours) of video watched (and this is viewed, not just downloaded). If you exceed your amount that you purchase, Mediacore will automatically notify you before it happens so you can upgrade with ease. If you choose not to, you’ll be charged  $1 per GB of bandwidth or storage that you go over. If you need massive amounts of space, discount are available for users who top 1 TB a month.

One example of an eco-friendly company who has jumped on the Mediacore bandwagon is Westar Energy, the largest electric utility company in Kansas. You can check out their energy saving tips and videos here.

For more information, visit mediacore.com.

Yanko Design and designers Seunggi Baek and Hyerim Kim created a PC which really captured our earth-loving attention. (After all, we really love eco-friendly technology).

Unlike standard computers which need to be charged from an adapter and plugging into the wall, this one absorbs energy by being soaked in water. That’s right, just a slosh of water gets your computer back into charging mode.

It’s developed similarly to a regular PC once it is open, but basically has a cylindrical contruction fitted into a pair of rollout screens. One of these screens is meant for the keyboard, while the other screen stretches out into the monitor.

The PC charges then runs by soaking up water then using it to generate electrolysis. This occurs with the help of power that is stored in a solar heat plate installed on the top of the PC. Basically, the laptop runs on hydrogen, and, as a result, discharges oxygen in the process of charging up.

Other features include a leaf-shaped strap that is attached to one end of the Plantbook, which is made out of earth-friendly silicone. This does double duty as a hand ring, as well as a green LED, which indicates its battery life.

We think this is pretty cool, and although it isn’t available right now, we wouldn’t be surprised if it is coming available in the next couple years.

See the full design with many concept photos at Yanko Design.

Whether you want to simply reduce your carbon footprint, or get a whole lot greener, these apps are for you. Here are our favourites:

Solar Panel Advisor ($1.99)

This eco-educational app shows you what a solar panel could do for you. Launch the app, face your iPad toward the sun, and find out how much solar power would be generated by any size solar panel under the same strength of sun. It will then describe how solar energy helps your energy bill. If you already have solar panels, you can use it to monitor them at home and get automatic maintenance and cleaning reminders.

My Recycle List (free)

This simple app allows you to locate places where you are able to recycle specific items. Just select your items from a list, and look at the locations possible. You can also save the locations yo prefer, so you can easily organize different recycling locations. It also saves emissions, because you’ll have the details of where to recycle without having to drive all over town.

My Carbon Footprint (free)

Download My Carbon Footprint to see how clean and green you are. Plug in the details of how you live, work, and eat, and it tells you how you impact the planet. It also sends you a fresh list of eco-tips and rewards you with cool badges and bragging rights for Facebook.

Control4 My Home (free)

Control4 My Home turns the iPad into an energy-efficiency remote for all your home’s appliances, lights, and electricity-using utilities. You can completely control your home’s computers, televisions, security systems and everything else! It works alongside Control4 all-in-one energy-saving automated home systems–convenient, but expensive… okay, and really cool.

iBooks (free)

Avid readers will love iBooks, giving you free access to an entire library of full downloaded books. It also allows you to take notes, highlight, and locate specific passages, perfect for students and professionals. A great way to organize your library and reduce your paper consumption, this is a must for anyone who likes a book or two.

Crazy Weather ($1.99)

Teach your children about weather and climate change with this educational app. Written as an interactive story, it is a fun and exciting app perfect for younger children.

iGrowIt ($0.99

The perfect app for new gardeners and seasoned horticulturalists, iGrowIt helps who you choose what to plant and then. Select and tap on “What can I grow today?”, and you’re given a list of vegetables perfect for planting in the current month. Each list includes instructions on how to plant and harvest the vegetables, along with plenty of recipe ideas to enjoy them.

SoundPaper ($4.99)

Whether your constantly jotting down to-do lists, taking notes in a meeting, or are a college student with loads of books and binders, this app is for you. The keyboard allows you to type notes as though you were on your regular computer, along with drawing sketches and recording audio with just single tap. It delivers a well-rounded way to take notes, with all info right in one single note/file. It also helps the environment by saving a load of paper and extra equipment.

What are your favourite eco-friendly apps?

Check out some of our favourite iPhone apps that benefit the planet, as well as the details on Rainforest Survival Challenge, an iPad app designed to educate children ages 8 through 12 about plants and animals in the Amazonian rainforest.

Low-flow toilets, also known as low-flush toilets, have been around for years. In 1992, the United States passed a law that all new toilets sold in the United States must be low-flow, meaning they can consume no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. Before that, the average toilet used 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush.

Types

Most low-flow toilets use a gravity or pressure-assisted technology to flush. Using these means substantial water savings, ranging from 1.9 to 7 gallons per flush. and, in turn, reducing the water bill by about $78 per year. All models use 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush. The difference between them is minimal in quality: gravity toilets clear waste when moving the flapper and water is released from the tank and flushing through the bowl.  Pressure-assisted toilets  compress a pocket of air, which moves the water  released into the bowl with each flush. The air is replenished when it refills. Pressure-assisted toilets are a little noisier, and a little more expensive, but tend to last longer, too.

Another variation of these is the dual flush toilet. Buttons indicate whether you’re ridding the toilet of liquids or solids.Solid waste is cleared with 1.6 gallons of water per flush,whereas  urine is flushed away with only 0.8 gallons.

How to Choose

When looking at the different toilets, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind:

• How well the toilet removes waste from the bowl?
• How noisy is it?
• How tall is it? Taller toilets, such as those designed for folks with disabilities, tend to clear waste better.
• How wide is it? Round bowls tend to flush better, too.
• Look for “high efficiency” on the label; these give you the most water and financial savings.
• Also look for the “WaterSense” label from the Environmental Protection Agency. These have been tested to make sure they use no more than 1.28 gallons per flush.
• Make sure it looks good and feels good; after all, you’ll be using it.

Using What You Have

Instead of purchasing a new toilet, you can also retrofit an older one to save water. The most common approach is to use a displacement device. These are placed inside the tank to displace water. Because they take up room, the tank doesn’t have to refill as much each time, and reduce the amount of water by about 4.2 gallons per toilet per day.

You can also use a displacement dam, a plastic dam wedged into the tank on both sides of the flush valve. These decrease water per flush by holding back a small amount of water, saving about 6 gallons of water per toilet per day.

Another option is the early-close flapper, a valve that shuts off the water flow to the bowl before the toilet tank is empty.

And when all else fails, when it’s yellow, let it mellow.

The Rainforest Alliance has launched their third annual “Picture Sustainability” Photo Contest. For those who can snap some great photos featuring the environment, submitting your best is a must!

Sponsored by FujiFilm, the grand prize winner snags an awesome trip to Guatamala, and the runner ups will all get great FujiFilm swag.

From the Rainforest Alliance:

The Rainforest Alliance is pleased to announce the launch of the 2011 “Picture Sustainability” photo contest. Whether your vision of sustainability features scenic landscapes, flora and fauna or local culture and communities, the Rainforest Alliance invites you to submit photos that promote our mission of conserving the environment and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.

Sponsored by Fujifilm, the Rainforest Alliance photo contest seeks to raise awareness about conservation issues while expanding the organization’s collection of photos for use in its publication and on its website, www.rainforest-alliance.org.

“Powerful photography is not only visually impressive, but it can evoke emotional responses and stimulate a call-to-action,” said Tensie Whelan, president of the Rainforest Alliance. “Winning photos will captivate a wide audience, connecting people to the concept of sustainability and illustrating the importance of the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to conserve the world’s most fragile ecosystems.”

One grand prize winner will receive a six-day, five-night eco-tour for two to Guatemala including airfare, courtesy of Fujifilm and organized by Colorado-based travel company Aventouras. The trip includes stops in the city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage site, combined with a tour of a nearby volcano and Lake Atitlán, for an opportunity to experience Guatemala’s cultural and natural gems. The grand prize winner also will receive a Fujifilm FinePix digital camera.

Five categories winners — one from each of the contest’s photo categories — will receive a Fujifilm FinePix digital camera. All winners will also receive an honorary one-year membership at the $100-level to the Rainforest Alliance.

“Fujifilm has a strong corporate commitment to sustainability, preserving green space and educating employees and the public on the importance of conservation and preservation,” said Ray Hosoda, president of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation. Sponsoring this photo contest only enhances this commitment, and at the same time reinforces our contributions to preserving the culture of photography. We support the Rainforest Alliance and its efforts and encourage other businesses to do the same.”

Winners will be chosen from the following categories:

• Forests (boreal, tropical or temperate)
• Water (rivers, streams and waterfalls, beaches, wetlands, coral reefs)
• Wildlife (insects, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fish)
• People & Planet (images that celebrate communities and culture, or that depict children and/or adults conserving natural resources, including water, flora and fauna, or engaging on environmental education)
• Macro Imagery (close-up or macro images that reveal the splendour of the natural world)

The photographs will be judged on three criteria: visual appeal and composition, portrayal of the Rainforest Alliance’s mission, and originality and creativity. Rainforest Alliance staff members will select up to five finalists in each category, post them on its website (www.rainforest-alliance.org) and invite the public to vote on category winners. Separately, world-renowned wildlife and nature photographer Art Wolfe will select the grand prize-winning photo from the group of finalists.

All photos must be submitted to http://www.flickr.com/groups/rainforest-alliance-photo-contest/ by October 14, 2011. Winners will be contacted via their FlickrMail accounts by December 7, 2011. All photos entered in the contest are considered donations to the Rainforest Alliance to be used in the organization’s publications and on website.

For more information on the Rainforest Alliance’s 2011 “Picture Sustainability” photo contest, please visit http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/about/events/photo-contest-2011

The Rainforest Alliance thanks Fujifilm and Art Wolfe for their generous support of this contest.

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The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travellers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

Image source

Fisher Investments has devoted this as the first book to an ongoing series, one that will provide individual investors, investment professionals, and students with the knowledge to understand and analyze investment opportunities. Used primarily for investing in global stocks, each guide (this one included) outlines economic sectors, regions, or other areas  of the global stock market.

This specific book in the series helps make those important decisions in the energy sector. It is divided into three detailed parts: Getting Started, Energy Details, and Thinking Like a Portfolio Manager.

The beginning of the book discusses all of the supply and demand details of oil and natural gas prices: energy’s biggest drivers. Companies engaging in the exploration, production, delivery, refining, and marketing of petroleum products to consumers are necessary components of this process; the main segments are upstream, midstream, and downstream:

• Upstream: finding the actual reserves and selling them.
• Midstream: processing, storage, and transportation of these materials.
• Downstream: refining them for sale to consumers.

The key drivers include commodity prices, oil and gas production growth, finding and development costs, exploration and production capital expenditures, refining margins, taxes, politics, and regulations, among others.

The book then takes you through the different sub-industries (seven in total) within the sector as a whole. Each one is explained in detail on how they are operated day-to-day, relating each to the fundamentals of the industry. It addresses current challenges of today’s energy sector, notably alternative energy, a section that we love to highlight for its greenness! Finally, it gives the readers a comprehensive five-step process to help compare the variety of firms in the energy field, which will help identify which ones are best to invest in, along with strategies to make the decision.

The framework provided in the book–as well as the whole series–will help you make better investment choices, and build your own creative success.

For more information visit energy.fisherinvestments.com

That’s why we are pretty excited when our friend at the Rainforest Alliance told us about an awesome new app for kids, designed to teach them important information about the rainforest in a really fun way!

From the Rainforest Alliance:

Rainforest Alliance and Stepping Stones Museum for Children Team Up with Ruckus Mobile Media to Launch Educational Rainforest App

“Rainforest Survival Challenge” app teaches children about nature’s circle of life in the Amazonian Rainforest

New York, NY/Boston, MA/Norwalk, CT – The Rainforest Alliance, an international nonprofit conservation organization, together with Stepping Stones Museum for Children, an award winning museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children, and Ruckus Mobile Media, an independent family entertainment company, today announced the release of Rainforest Survival Challenge, a mobile application devised specifically for the iPad. Designed to educate children ages 8 through 12 about the interconnection between plants and animals in the Amazonian rainforest, the app offers thought-provoking information about a variety of native species that live in one of the Earth’s most fascinating and delicate ecosystems.

The app, which is designed to appeal to children and parents alike — through a mix of play, discovery and learning through technology — is the result of a collaboration between Ruckus Media, developer of content-driven interactive applications for Apple mobile devices, Stepping Stones, a museum committed to creating environments that inspire life-long learning and the Rainforest Alliance, a global nonprofit that for nearly twenty five years has worked to promote forest conservation around the world.

“We are excited to use this new and innovative medium to introduce kids to the unique wildlife found in tropical forests,” said Julianne Schrader, manager of the education program at the Rainforest Alliance. “The Rainforest Alliance helps students of all ages understand the role that each one of us plays in biodiversity conservation. We want to inspire the next generation to conserve the planet’s most precious ecosystems.”

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with such esteemed partners,” said Ruckus founder and CEO Rick Richter. “Our goal at Ruckus is to stimulate, educate and engage young minds. The Rainforest Survival Challenge app provides the perfect blend of wholesome entertainment and education that makes for an app we hope families can enjoy together.”

Stepping Stones and the Rainforest Alliance first collaborated seven years ago to create Rainforest Adventure, a hands-on, interactive exhibit designed to help children learn about tropical forests around the world and the people and wildlife that depend on them.

The Rainforest Survival Challenge app is an extension of this partnership, further enhancing the exhibit as it readies for a national tour beginning in May 2011.

“Technology literacy is perhaps the most misunderstood of the 21st century learning skills,” explains Stepping Stones COO, Kevin Carter. “How you use technology is the true challenge. Here, we’re able to use it in a very positive way. The game is a blast for kids but also opens the door — for any age — to a greater understanding about the world’s rainforests.”

The app is now available on Apple’s iTunes App Store for only $0.99. A portion of the proceeds from app sales will go to support education initiatives at the Rainforest Alliance and Stepping Stones Museum for Children.

Rainforest Survival Challenge builds on the Rainforest Alliance’s extensive educational resources, including free, kindergarten through eighth grade school curriculum, which provides complete lesson plans that follow state and national learning standards. By teaching kids about tropical rainforests, and the fundamental environmental issues that threaten these delicate ecosystems, the Rainforest Alliance is empowering children to take action that will help protect the planet.

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About the Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them to transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers.  From large multinational corporations to small community based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily.  For more information visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

About Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Stepping Stones Museum for Children is an award winning, private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) children’s museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children. In seeking to create an environment that inspires lifelong learning, the Stepping Stones experience provides children with the critical learning skills they need to be successful in the 21st century.

About Ruckus Mobile Media

Ruckus Mobile Media, an independent mobile family entertainment company, introduces traditional storytelling for today’s ways of telling stories by creating applications for mobile devices that entertain toddlers to teens from their fingers to their minds, at home or on the road—and invite their imaginations to grow. Launched in September 2010, Ruckus is now home to 16 children’s book apps, including the Best App Award finalists A PRESENT FOR MILO, written and illustrated by Mike Austin; ANDREW ANSWERS, created by bestselling children’s book author Alan Katz; as well as THE  VELVETEEN RABBIT Read-Play-and-Record-Along classic storybook app, among others. See www.ruckusmediagroup.com for a full listing and additional information.

Read more about our favourite iPhone apps in our article iPhone apps with the planet  in mind.

And get our Ecoki iPhone Reader app here!

thinksound, a leading manufacturer in earphones, has just launched an innovative set of earphones that is not only eco-friendly, but sounds great, too.

who is this “thinksound”?

thinksound™ began with a simple goal: to create awesome sounding headphones with the smallest impact on the planet possible. Their headphones are created from real wood, resulting in a more natural resonance and unparalleled acoustics.

In addition, all of their packaging is made from recycled materials. No bubblewrap in sight, no excess packaging. Little plastic is used in the process, and even the carry pouch is made from recycled sources. Even better, they use PVC-free cables and wood from renewable sources.

So many options…

We love everything they have, and suggest you look through all of their choices to see what will work best for you. (from thinksound.com)

ts01: enhanced bass, 10mm headphones

• Model: ts01 10mm in-ear high definition headphone with passive noise isolation
• Colors Available: Black Chocolate or Silver Cherry
• Appearance: Wood housing with aluminum baffle
• Weight: 10.3g
• MSRP: $74.99
• 1 year warranty

The ts01 high-definition headphones feature PVC-Free cables and a beautiful hand-crafted, sustainable wood housing. The housing also enhances the sound quality. Comes in a rich Silver Cherry or Black Chocolate finish, with a cotton carrying pouch, and four sets of ear fittings to ensure a perfect fit.

tso1 sport: with curved ear pieces

• Model: ts01 Sport 10mm in-ear high definition headphone with passive noise isolation and active lifestyle ear hooks
• Colors Available: Black Chocolate or Silver Cherry
• Appearance: Wood housing with aluminum baffle
• Weight: 10.3g
• MSRP: $74.99
• 1 year warranty

thinksound™ ts01 Sport headphones deliver a warm, rich, booming sound. The extra large, 10mm dynamic driver offers outstanding bass that  sounds great at any volume. They include secure Active Lifestyle Ear Hooks, making them great for those who are always on the move. Like the others, they are offered ina rich Silver Cherry or Black Chocolate finish, with a cotton carrying pouch, and four sets of ear fittings.

rain: premium sound, 9mm headphones

• Model: Rain 9mm in-ear high definition headphone with passive noise isolation
• Colors Available: Black Chocolate or Silver Cherry
• Appearance: Wood housing with aluminum baffle
• Weight: 9.6g
• MSRP: $99.99
• 1 year warranty

thinksound™ rain headphones were designed with true audiophiles in mind. These beautiful, powerful earphones feature a 9mm high-definition driver that has a premium sound quality. They include PVC-Free cables and a hand-crafted wooden housing offered in a rich Silver Cherry or Black Chocolate finish. Each come with the same pouch and filters.

ts02: warm, balanced sound

• Model: ts02 8mm in-ear high definition headphone
• Colors Available: Silver Cherry or Black Chocolate
• Appearance: Wood housing with aluminum baffle
• Weight: 9.5g
• MSRP: $79.99
• 1 year warranty

thinksound™ ts02 headphones feature an in-ear 8mm high-definition driver for the best, all-around audio performance. They include a reduced speaker diameter and housing size for better ergonomics, upgraded acoustics, and a wider sound-stage. They come in the same finishes, same pound, and same fittings.

tso2+mic: includes a microphone, too

• Model: ts02+mic 8mm in-ear high definition headphone with microphone + call/music control
• Colors Available: Silver Cherry or Black Chocolate
• Appearance: Wood housing with aluminum baffle
• Weight: 12.0g
• MSRP: $89.99
• 1 year warranty

thinksound™ ts02+mic headphones feature an in-ear 8mm high-definition driver with integrated microphone and call control. The one button control lets you easily answer calls. They fit the same as the ts02, featuring the same details.

For more information, including detailed spec sheets, visit thinksound.com.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is about to introduce this half-autorickshaw and half-cycle-rickshaw in the next year. At least 100 battery operated e-rickshaws will be on their way immediately.

The company will also be exporting these e-rickshaws to England.

“The concept of e-rickshaws that we have in mind is something very smart and environment friendly. The e-ricks will ply in 272 wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi,” MCD leader Subhash Arya said in a statement.

Each e-rickshaw will be equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) locator device fitted into it, and drivers will be given cellular phones (free of charge), so they can work similar to that of a cab service.

The e-rickshaw will have sitting room for three people, and fitted with easily rechargeable batteries. The thousands of existing MCD parking lots in Delhi will provide the battery recharge facilities. The charging time will take approximately 6 hours.

Each e-rickshaw can move at a speed of 25 kilometres per hour. Additionally, it’s completely recyclable. They will be completely eco-friendly, and the drivers will receive special training to drive them.

We need these everywhere.

Just published in the journal Science, the battery research was led by University of Texas at Austin chemists Christopher Bielawski and Jonathan Sessler. The duo discovered that when molecules come together, they form new compounds by exchanging electrons. Molecules that have opposite charges are attracted to each other and can form something new.

Bielawski and Sessler created two molecules that could come together, exchange electrons, but not form the new compound.

“These molecules were effectively spring-loaded to push apart after interacting with each other,” says Bielawski. “After electron transfer occurs, two positively charged molecules are formed which are repelled by each other, much like magnets held in a certain way will repel each other. We also installed a chemical switch that allowed the electron transfer process to proceed in the opposite direction.”

“This is the first time that the forward and backward switching of electron flow has been accomplished via a switching process at the molecular scale,” Sessler added.

Bielawski says this system gives important clues for making an efficient organic battery. The electron transfer processes is the key to providing a way to design the right organic materials .

“I would love it if my iPhone was thinner and lighter, and the battery lasted a month or even a week instead of a day,” says Bielawski. “With an organic battery, it may be possible. We are now starting to get a handle on the fundamental chemistry needed to make this dream a commercial reality.”

Read the full article here.

Image courtesy from sciencedaily.com

Organic Housekeeping

$11.99 / Ellen Sandbeck

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “the air in the average American home is between two and ten times more polluted than the air just outside the threshold.” Sandbeck delivers tips on keeping toxins and pesticides out of the home and creating a balanced, healthy ecosystem. Readers learn that all too often the products use contain toxins and antimicrobials that kill beneficial organisms. From preventing mold and mildew and controlling garden pests, Sandbeck delivers an easy to read resource for keeping it green and clean.

The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet

$11.99 / Nava Atlas

Vegetarian expert Atlas offers simple, quick recipes, using easily accessible foods. With more folks adopting a vegetarian diet, it becomes easy to make more meat-free meals with only using five ingredients. From Cold Curried Cucumber Soup to Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers, the recipes prove to be simple and delicious. Each recipe carries a suggested menu in which Atlas encourages readers with winning combinations. Great for a beginner or those with busy lives.

The China Study

$11.90 / Thomas Campbell

This study explores over 350 variables of health and nutrition with surveys from 6,500 adults in more than 2,500 counties across China and Taiwan, and demonstrates the link between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Discussing proper nutrition, obesity, and current diet choices, it also discusses social politics and lends a hand to the pros of the vegetarian diet.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

$8.47 / Robert Pirsig

The classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance tells the story of Phaedrus, the narrator, who takes a present-tense cross-country motorcycle trip with his son during which the maintenance of the motorcycle becomes an illustration of how we can unify the cold, rational realm of technology with the warm, imaginative realm of artistry. As in Zen, the trick is to become one with the activity, to engage in it fully, to see and appreciate all details–be it hiking in the woods, penning an essay, or tightening the chain on a motorcycle. A must-read and now a classic, we’ll leave the details to you – definitely check this one out, Kindle or not.

Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life

$10.63 / Linda Sivertson

A teen-friendly  manual on green living, Sivertsen and her teenage son draw on science, experience, and interviews with celebrities and teens to provide readers with eco-responsible lifestyle alternatives, green careers to eco-gear. The “Five Rs”—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, Refuse—provide a framework  for the book, using teen idioms and pop-culture reference.

The Green Business Guide

$11.99 / Glenn Bachman

The Green Business Guide: A One-Stop Resource for Businesses of All Shapes and Sizes to Implement Eco-friendly Policies, Programs and Practices is a comprehensive resource designed to assist organizations to develop green practices into their operations. The book gives guidance to organizations on topics such as understanding the environmental factors that are influencing businesses ability to operate profitably, evaluating the benefits of going green, developing a plan for transforming the organization into a green business, identifying specific actions to reduce energy use, water use, control packaging waste, and use resources efficiently, and communicating and reporting on your environmental successes

The New Organic Grower: A Master’s Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener

$16.82 / Eliot Coleman

Written for the small-scale market gardener, this book is perfect for those seeking information on economically efficient, organic food production. You won’t see any pesticides in this book – not even the organic variety. Instead, natural procedures are solely used. Recommendations, such as crop rotation and use of green manures, are described, as well as information on greenhouses and covers to extend the growing season.

Farm to Fork: Cooking Local, Cooking Fresh

$11.99 / Emeril Legasse

In this newest book, Lagasse continues his commitment to  fresh, local ingredients. Here he highlights farmers, fishermen, and ranchers, in a cookbook filled with fifteen flavorful chapters. Summer bounty is in abundance as he delivers desserts, main meals and even chapters on preserving and making your own cheese.

Green Smoothie Revolution: The Radical Leap Towards Natural Health

$10.59 / Victoria Boutenko

Balanced diets are hard. Green smoothies are not. And according to the author,  Green Smoothie Revolution takes aim at this silent epidemic by restoring balance to our diets. With a little know-how and a lot of nutrition, Boutenko combines fruits, vegetables, and greens in smoothie form, perfect for our busy lifestyles. Featuring 200 recipes, Green Smoothie Revolution offers both simplicity, taste and nutrition – all in the convenience of a blender.

Kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, recreational rooms, and bathrooms all being in closed quarters require more heat to maintain a comfortable temperature, or in the case of summer -  more cooling. You can see how much effort it takes to keep a house at an average temperature.

Geothermal 101

But now, the car-maker is ridding itself from its typical construction in favour with going green.

At this week’s Geneva Motor Show, the company unveiled their newest creation: the Ferrari 599. This 200mph electric hybrid has been developed with the environment in mind.

Ferrari’s classic performance, combined with its notable good looks, is married to a pollution and fuel consumption cutting initiative, making their brand just a little greener.

The vehicle is equipped with an electric motor that backs up a more traditional 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine. The typical two-seater design will accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds (which, by the way, is faster than its standard counterpart) and to 125mph in 10.4 seconds.

The electric part of the hybrid system also comes into play with braking, taking the energy that is often wasted from putting on the breaks and using it to recharge the batteries. This, then, can move the car simply by electric power.

Carbon dioxide emissions are cut to 270g/km, which is a 35% reduction on conventional models. The company also claims that it is expected to do up to 25 miles to the gallon (petrol- only versions, on the other hand, can do just under 16mpg).

The company’s aim is to harness this green technology as an option in all its cars by 2015, a must with today’s environmental targets to cut CO2 emissions.

It does have a price though. The 599 seems that it will cost twice as much as the £207,000 petrol 559 GTB Fiorano (it’s conventional counterpart). But the company assumes that by time the technology is mainstream, the price will come down to below £300,000.

See other cars unveiled at the 80th International Motor Show’s website. The show runs March 4th through 14th in Geneva.

Images courtesy of carspyshots.net

Also, be sure to check out aluminum radiator manufacturer Mishimoto, who has recently announced their green plan to reduce wasteful packaging by 75%!

See, the NoMox toilets collect urine at the front of the bowl and the faces at the back. By separating the urine before it reaches the treatment plants, it can reduce the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorsus entering rivers.

According to the ACS’s Environmental Science and Technology report, the resulting urine can be recycled as agricultural fertilizer, and in turn, conserves water and poses less of a threat for fish.

Researchers surveyed 2700 folks across Europe, including  Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark.

Reviewing their answers, they found an impressive 80% of them supported these new toilets. About eighty-five per cent of those surveyed also found that the comfort levels (including cleanliness) equaled conventional toilets.

And eighty-five per cent also liked the idea of using this resulting urine as fertilizer.

What do you think?

Source.

For the groomer

He’ll love spending a little more time getting ready when he splashes on Herban Cowboy Cologne. Free of additives, dyes and synthetics, it has a great dusk scent that you’ll love, too. It also contains recycled packaging that is biodegradable.

For the guy on the go

If he’s super busy, he’ll never be pleased with a dead watch battery. That’s why we love Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Strap Watch, an eco-friendly, solar powered wristwatch that charges in natural sunlight or indoor light.

For the gadget lover

Does his iPhone never leave his palm? Keep it stick with the True Bamboo iPhone Case, a form-fitting hard case perfectly designed to fit the Apple iPhone 3G S. The cut out design allows easy access to the screen and camera, while leaving you with a durable, protective covering for your favourite toy.

For the outdoorsy type

If he loves going camping and roughing it, you can rest assured his face will stay silky smooth with the Sol-Shaver. This solar-powered shaver lets him shave anywhere, easily self-charging no matter where he might be.