Green TV Network to Launch in 3 days

Over the past few years the green industry has exploded. Green cars are selling in record numbers, green housing projects are erecting all over the country,  in grocery stores, organic variations of household favorites fill the shelves.  Now, there's a television network exclusively dedicated to green living.   I guess it was only a matter of time.  As I talked about in a previous blog, despite a sluggish economy the green marketplace is flourishing.  Consumers are demanding earth friendly products, and corporations and eco-minded entrepreneurs are eager to fill the niche.  

Green is the new black, and the Discovery Network, the creator of Planet Green is banking on the trend.  On Planet Green's website a clock counts down the hours, minutes, and seconds to launch time; in three days Planet Green will debut, with plenty of star power behind it.   Chef Emeril, Tommy Lee and Ludacris are some of the stars who already have shows.  Emeril Lagase--a celebrity chef who has inspired countless viewers to explore in the kitchen will host,"Emeril Green".   The show, which will focus on healthy recipes with sustainable ingredients is set in a Whole Foods Market.    In Battleground Earth, project Planet's most buzzed about series, rapper Ludacris, and rocker Tommy Lee, compete on a crusade to save the planet. 

Only time will tell if the Planet Green will be hit or bust.  In either case, I'll be sure to tune in and report back on it.

Chic Moderne: Pure Pampering

Who knew recycled leather could be so fabulous! Patti Tang, the fashonista behind the Chic Moderne has found a way to convert unused Italian leather scraps into stylish business accessories in vibrant hues that are sure to catch your eye. The collections cosmopolitan pieces are a quintessential pairing of style and sustainability. At affordable prices, Chic Moderne offers designs and colors that fit nicely into any wardrobe. And the company doesn't stop with accessories. Equally tempting are Chic Moderne's Austrian palm oil candles, which come in tempting colors like firecracker red and lavender violet. Their soft lines and avante garde designs seep romance and European flair. The collection also includes Triple Milled Soaps, which are infused with creamy Shea butter and imported directly from Provence France. Stop by their website to pick up a gift, or to pamper yourself with one of there wonderfully natural products.

Website: www.chicmoderne.com

Project Planet Facilitates Green Hospitality

Project Planet, an envronmental program that promotes conservation in the hospitlality industry, is greening the way hotels do business one towel at a time. The concept in simple, most people don't wash their linens every night, and lots of people use their towels more then once before throwing them in the hamper; yet when we lodge, hotels and inn's typically replace our towels and linens nightly. Project Planet cuts down the water and energy waste caused by too much laundering by facilitating communication between hotels and environmentally concious guests.

How it Works

Hotels that participate in the program are given brochures and placards to place in guests quarters. The brochures outline the program, and the placards allow guests to alert hotel staff when they want their linens and towels washed.  Guests who want to participate in the program, and who are staying for multiple nights, have their linens and towels changed every third day. If they would like them washed sooner, they can place a placard on their door to alert room service. Participation is optional, and guests can opt out by hanging a placard on their door to alert hotel staff.

Program Saves the Environment and Money

Hotels who participate in the program report thousands of dollars of savings in energy costs.  The Executive West Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky estimates that they saved $132,000 in their first year of implementing the program.  The best thing about project planet is that it enpowers guests, by giving them the option to excercise conservationism away from home.  

Project Planet also offers industry specific programs that utilize the same core philosophies: Carribean Cares, for business clients in the Carribean, and Conserve for Tommorow, a program designed excelusively for Intercontinental Hotels.

Resources:

www.projectplantcorps.com

Switch Grass: The Future of Biofuels

Recently ethanol has been getting a lot of heat. In March, Time Magazine ran, The Trouble with Biofuels, an article that suggest that ethanol isn't a cure-all substitute for petroleum, and may even exacerbate global warming. Time isn't the only source skeptical of the ethanol boom. A slew of journalists and experts are saying the same thing: the commercial production of ethanol is a factor in rising food costs, deforestation and increased hunger worldwide. Perhaps the most ironic pitfall of mass ethanol production is that right now, corn ethanol is appears to be leaving a bigger carbon footprint then oil. Once hailed as a miracle substitute for petroleum, ethanol's manufacturing may prove to be more trouble then it's worth.

The Trouble With Corn

Corn, soybean and sugar cane are among the most popular ethanol crops. To make ethanol, sugar is extracted from these plants and converted into alcohol (ethanol). Corn is a choice crop because of its high sugar content as is sugar cane. To meet the increased demand for ethanol—both the US and the EU have 'clean fuel mandates—farmers are clear cutting virgin land to grow ethanol crops. Increased demand has also driven up the price of food staples like corn, soy and sugar.

Even when you ignore the ethical question that making fuel from food poses, from a strictly practical standpoint, growing corn and soy to make ethanol on a large scale just isn't practical. Both corn and soybean require extensive amounts of energy and water to farm and refine. By the time they have been harvested and processed, the resources expended through production and transportation are greater then the energy yielded from the ethanol produced.

Government and Market Forces are Fueling the Corn Ethanol Production

A market demand for green fuel is driving the ethanol production. People want to drive 'green' cars, and businesses are trying to reduce their carbon footprint as well with alternative energy. The federal government has caught onto the trend by mandating alternative energy production, which in turn has boosted corn based ethanol manufacturing. In 2006, thanks in part to strong lobbyist; corn ethanol subsidies totaled 7 billion dollars. This year corn prices peaked, causing poor people in Mexico and India to protests because they can no longer afford food.

Switch Grass May be the Solution

Switchgrass, a plant native to the American prairie, may be the answer to the ethanol dilemma. Switch grass grows quickly and is an extremely adaptable plant, able to survive in most climates. The resourceful perennial digs deep into the soil to utilize any water around. switchgrass requires significantly less energy to farm, when compared to corn and soybeans.

The plant grows wild and utilizes solar energy to produce large amounts cellulose. To make ethanol, cellulose is converted into sugar, which in turn is converted into alcohol (ethanol). Though Switchgrass is easier to farm and doesn't affect food costs, as of now, converting it into ethanol is more expensive then corn. The enzyme required to breakdown corn into sugar is cheap, at around 3 per gallon. The enzyme required to break down cellulose ranges anywhere from 30 to 50 cents per gallon. Though switchgrass requires a more complicated process to refine, it is worth the investment. According to an article in Scientific American Magazine, switchgrass produces 540% more energy then the amount consumed growing it. Scientists are working hard to refine cellulose ethanol production, with corporate and government dollars behind them. The US Department of Energy is largely funding six new cellulose bio-refineries, estimated to cost 1.2 billion dollars. Two weeks ago Du Pont and biotech firm Danisco’s Genencor division committed 140 million dollars, in a joint venture to develop and sale cellulose ethanol technology. "There is nothing in the last several decades that has generated such private sector enthusiasm and investment,” said Keith Collins, the Agriculture Department’s chief economist.

Resources:

Photo courtesy of USDA-ARS

Shop Sustainable at the Farmers Market

It's springtime and farmers markets are showcasing an abundance of blossoming flowers, vibrant beets, crisp greens and various veggies. Buying locally grown produce from small scale farms is the best way to support sustainable agriculture. A trip to the farmers market beats a trip to the grocery store, and it's a great way to enjoy the sunny weather. Grab a grocery bag—the reusable kind if you have one—and see what your farmer neighbors have to offer. If you don't know where to find a farmers market in your area, locate one using www.farmersmarket.com.

Buying directly from the people who cultivate the land and care for the crops strengthens community, plus it's is an easy and fun way to support the local economy. Buying local is a also great way to eat in unison with the seasons, learn about the natural world and become better acquainted with your neighbors. As Summer nears, fruit trees produce an abundance of peaches and cherries. Wild berries also abound. Take the opportunity to eat them fresh or bake them into pies; can them to enjoy in the winter months.

Toyota Prius: Over One Million Sold

A roomy interior and unbeatable gas mileage have made the Toyota Prius a top pick among eco-minded drivers in the market for a car. This month, Prius sales topped the one million mark! The Prius, which was born in 1997, experienced a spike in popularity when it was completely redesigned in 2004. The car's record for safety and reliability has helped it stay at the top. This February, Consumer Reports named the Prius the best green vehicle for the fifth year in a row. Toyota says they plan to sell a million more hybrids by 2010, which shouldn't be tough given current gas prices. The company estimates that so far, Prius drivers have helped to avoid an estimated 4.5 million tons of carbon emissions.

Resources:

http://greenbiz.com/news/2008/05/16/
toyota-prius-sales-top-1-million-while-company-bets-green-building

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/news/2007/04/
top-picks-for-2007-4-07/overview/0704_top-picks-2007.htm

Ways to Conserve Water

Water is our most precious resource, as essential to life as the air that we breath. It is also a scarce commodity, due to indiscriminate waste and pollution. In most of the developed world, we enjoy the illusion of a seemingly endless supply of water. Recent drought reports, eye opening documentaries like Flow: For the Love of Water, and books like Blue Gold are showing us that clean water supplies aren't as abundant as we'd like to think. Follow the tips below to curb your water consumption. Together we can make a difference, one drop at a time.

1. If you live in an area with high quality tap water, bottle drinking water and put it in the fridge. Most people who drink tap water run the faucet until the tap gets cold which leads to water waste. By bottling tap water, you'll be able to reach for a cool glass without wasting a drop.

2. Don't take long showers. Five minutes is usually more then enough time. If you shave in the shower, try shaving before hand-- without leaving the water running-- and rinsing off as part of your shower. Don't run the shower for too long before your get in.

3. Again, don't leave your faucets running when you aren't using them. If you're brushing your teeth turn off the water when you aren't using it. If you're washing the dishes, make a bowl of soapy water and wash everything in it, then rinse everything at once.

4. Grass lawns lead to excessive water waste. If you have the opportunity to design your yard, opt for a sustainable design that utilizes native wild flowers and drought resistant plants. A yard that consists of native botanicals will be easier to maintain, and it will require less water.

5. Add a control nozzle to your water hose so you can dictate the amount of water pressure, and so that the hose isn't constantly running when you aren't using it.

6. Never use water to clean the sidewalk or driveway. Use a broom instead.

If you know of any other creative ways to save water. Leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you!

Resources: Photo courtesy of www.middle-fork.org

EBMUD Adapts Drought Management Program

You might want to cut down on the time you spend in the shower, and turn off the faucet when your brushing your teeth. Water is our most precious resource, and I've talked about in previous blogs, clean water supplies are more scarce then most of us would like to believe.

In the Bay Area, a lack of rain over the last year has caused water reservoirs to dwindle to just two-thirds of normal levels. East Bay Municipal Utility District, the primary supplier of water in Alameda and Contra Costa County, is taking these numbers very seriously, with a water rationing program in full effect. To achieve a 15% reduction in water use, EBMUD is calling for single family residents to cut back use by 19%, multi family units, 11%; irrigators--like golf courses--30%; commercial, 12%; institutional, 9%; and industrial 5%. In addition, EBMUD's drought program prohibits any activity that unnecessarily uses an excessive amount of water-- like washing sidewalks with a water hose, or washing your car with a hose that doesn't contain a shutoff nozzle.

Those who fail to meet the water rationing guidelines will face fines, and excessive violators will face having their water services shut off.

If you live in another part of California, don't think that the water crisis doesn't apply to you. The state of California is on the verge of a drought, after two parched years, and the driest Spring in over a century. The water district in Orange County enacted a water rationing programs last year. Other California counties are expected to follow suit by this summer.

Environmental Laundry

Most people never even think about laundry and how it affects our environment and even our bodies. Many people grab $1.75 for wash & drying and thats about it. Throw it in the wash with some detergent and then the dryer with a dryer sheet.

Let's be smarter than that! When you wash your clothes many harmful chemicals are running out of your machines and polluting our environment. Not only that, but the harmful chemicals found in detergent and dryer sheets contain harsh irritants that are toxic to the human body.

So what are the alternatives? Glad you asked. There are some really good ones out there that are green, and with less human impact on the environment and our bodies.

My favorite is by Seventh Generation, and it is widely popular and carried by most Rite-Aid Pharmacies, and CVS's, local markets, & TARGET! So you can find it.

And lastly my vote is to ditch those dryer sheets. Who really needs them anyway? What is a little static cling? Do the world a favor, and start drying green. And maybe buy a clothes line if you don't live in a 5th avenue apartment.

All joking aside, there are ways that you can help to cut down on the footprint created by just doing your laundry.

And the Green Beauty Award Goes to......

With so many companies going green these days, consumers have more options for natural beauty products. Green-savvy consumers want personal care products that are all natural and free of potentially harmful products, and they want products that work. They also want to buy from companies that offer good benefits to their employees and give back to the community. What demanding customers!

Alaffia is a company that meets all of these standards and provides perfect lotions, soaps, and hair care products. Who doesn't love finding the perfect conditioner? Alaffia stands out from the rest, giving money back to the communities responsible for harvesting the main ingredient in their beauty products: Shea Butter. You can buy their lotions and soaps in bulk at many health food stores. The bars of soap come infused with various essential oils like tea-tree and lavender, and have ribbons of gold swirled in to make them all around gorgeous.

Alaffia also buys bicycles for their employees commute to the fields and gives 10 % of sales to community enhancement projects in Africa. Finally a line of products that are good for the body and good for the world!

Resources
www.Alaffia.com.

Are LEDs the New CFLs?

They are the ornamental fixtures that light up your Christmas tree and the back light on your cell phone. They use just a quarter of the energy of incandescent light bulbs and they last six times longer. They provide natural looking white light, and unlike CFLs they don’t contain any harmful mercury. With all of these benefits, it’s no wonder that lighting companies are feverously working on designing affordable Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for household use.

Annually, lighting accounts for about a quarter of the energy used in the United States. This figure is mostly due to inefficient lighting technology. In 2007, California lawmakers considered a bill that would ban the use of incandescent light bulbs—the bill eventually failed but the state has mandated improved lighting efficiency.

The private sector has been quick to respond to the demand for energy efficient light sources. According to Cleantech group, a San Francisco based environmental research company, venture capitalist investments in lighting technologies reached $100 million in the first quarter of this year; just third to biofuel and solar energy. With technological advances LEDs are looking better then ever. They provide a more natural looking source of light (compared to CFLs), and they cost a lot less. Companies both big and small are adopting LED technology. It’s only a matter of time before LEDs become widely available in stores.

Green TV's?

Most people wouldn’t put green and television in the same sentence. The US Department of Energy Reports that in 2005 televisions consumed more than 4000 gig watt-hours of electricity costing consumers about $424 billion in energy bills. In addition, televisions cause green house emissions and most electronics, including TV’s, are made with highly toxic non-recyclable materials. In effort to decrease the environmental impact caused by televisions, the LCD TV association has announced that it will start a green TV logo program. The association is made up the biggest manufacturers in the industry including Sony, LG, HP, Corning, and Dolby, as well as other smaller manufacturers. According to the program, TV’s that meet environmentally friendly standards will come with a green TV logo. Standards include recyclability of materials, lower toxicity levels, and increased energy efficiency. Logos are scheduled to go out at the end of 2008. The association hopes that the program will encourage TV manufacturers to green their products. In related news, the EPA has plans for an energy star rating system for flat-screen TV’s.

Resources:
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2008/05/05/
green-tv-program-to-clean-up-life-cycle

Sho Chiku Bai Organic Nama Sake

Takara is one of the largest distributors of Sake in North America. It is also the first sake manufacturer in the U.S. to produce an organic variety. Despite Takara’s grand production scale, they are committed to using only locally produced ingredients. Their organic Sho Chiku Bai Nama Sake is made from OCIA certified rice grown in the Sacramento Valley, distilled according to an age-old process that involves no preservatives, no brewer's alcohol, and no sulfites. The result is 100% natural and 100% delicious. If you find yourself in the SF Bay Area, make sure to stop by their tasting room and sake museum in Berkeley. Lots of high-end Japanese restaurants offer sake flight tastings, but Takara’s is absolutely free. The tasting room boosts a beautiful sustainable design, with floors that utilize glass from old beer, wine and sake bottles, and a structure that is made entirely of reclaimed lumber. The museum allows visitors to witness age-old sake making techniques, so patrons can learn exactly how this delicious beverage is made.

Here's a link with information on Takara products, including their Sho Chiku Bai Organic Nama Sake...
http://www.takarasake.com/products/sake.htm

Zip Car Recipient of Customer Service Award

On April 18th Zipcar car-sharing network announced that it was the recipient of a 2008 Copernican Award from Creative Good, a New York-based customer experience consultancy. Past winners include Netflix, Whole Foods, Google, and TiVo. A recent poll of Zipcar members revealed more than 98% believe the service is easy to use, with 94% agreeing that if they have a concern, the company will help them resolve it. Now that's a green business committed to customer service!

Zipcar Offers Unique Car Sharing Service

If you live in one of the 25 major metropolises where Zipcar operates, you’ve probably noticed one of their fuel-efficient vehicles parked around town and wondered exactly how the program works. After asking myself the same question, I did a bit of research; this is what I found out:

• Zipcar is the largest car-sharing network in the world and they’re still growing! They’ve recently partnered with Flexcar to become one big car-sharing network. They have cars in 22 major metropolitan areas in North America, and they also have a network in London.

• All of their cars are super fuel-efficient.

• Zipcar offers hourly and daily rates and the entire process is self-service. You can join the network and make reservations online. After making a reservation, you simply pick up your car at a designated spot. Drop it off whenever your done, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Gas, insurance and designated Zipcar parking spaces are all included in the rental price.

• They offer discounted plans for businesses, groups, and drivers who need to use the service more frequently.

Zipcar is a greener alternative to traditional car rentals. For someone who doesn’t need to drive too much, car-sharing is a great alternative to traditional car ownership. Depending on your needs, Zipcar may also be more economical.

Resources

www.zipcar.com

Earth Friendly Product Review: Low Flow Faucet Aerators

Whether you own or rent, the faucets in your sink probably came equip with water aerators: the tiny attachments found at the mouth of most faucets. Switching all of your aerators and shower heads to low flow models is the single most effective way to conserve water around the house. You will also save money on your water and heating bills by making the switch. Low flow aerators and shower heads will pay for themselves in a couple of months, and lead to savings down the line.

How to tell if you need one:

Check the numbers printed on the side of the aerators in the bathroom, the kitchen, and anywhere else there is a sink. The rate should be no more then 2.75 gallons per minute or 7.75 liters per minute. If it is any higher, you should replace it with low flow model.

Check your shower heads, the rate on those should be no higher then 2.5 gallons per minute. If no number is printed, put a 2 quart pot in the shower at the center of the water stream, if it takes less then 12 seconds to fill, then you should replace your shower head with lower flow model.

Resources:

http://www.metaefficient.com/bathroom-products/
the-most-efficient-faucet-aerators-of-2008.html
For an up-to-date list of the most efficient water aerators.

http://www.eartheasy.com/live_lowflow_aerators.htm
For more information.

Flow: For the Love of Water

“If the wars of [the 21st] century were fought over oil,
the wars of the next century will be fought over water.”
—Ismail Serageldin, former VP, World Bank,
Newsweek, 1995


Dwindling reserves of petroleum and a multi-billion dollar war have forced the world’s populations to rethink levels oil consumption. Yet most people would be surprised to learn that the world faces a water crisis, potentially more damaging then the ills of oil scarcity. In her documentary, Flow: For the Love of Water, French born filmmaker Irena Salina provides an eloquent account of how pollution and corporate interests are threatening the safety and accessibility of our most valuable resource.

The film visits South African shantytowns and Bolivian villages, where multinational corporations, backed by the World Bank, monopolize clean water at the cost of human suffering. Equally alarming are revelations of pollutants and chemicals creeping into our water sources, disrupting the balance of the eco-system and spawning sickness. Annually deaths from dirty water trump the mortality caused by AIDs and malaria. At the heart of the problem is that water has become big business, just third to oil worldwide. Flow presents a frightening snapshot of fish on Prozac, rocket-fuel-tainted drinking water, and the human toll that occurs when corporations are allowed to control a life sustaining resource.


Beyond grim statistics and heartbreaking personal accounts, Flow offers hope in new technologies and a heightened awareness. Among the solutions is a grassoots water co-op in India, where residents secure their own access to clean water. This critical documentary brings together the brightest scientists, water experts, and human rights workers in an eloquent plea to save the world’s water. Flow is more then a critique; it’s a call to action.

For more information on the film and about how you can help visit www.flowthefilm.com