• Anything that makes littering easier… New Biodegradable Plastic Could Be Dissolved in Seawater – livescience
• Consumer education hmm…that means advertising. Sorting Through Your Alternative Fuel Choices – wqad.com
• One bear lives while another bear dies. Panda Succumbs to Polar Bear’s Fame – guardian
• I may pass on the beachfront property. Cities at Risk of Rising Sea Levels – ap/myway
• Palm oil is joining corn ethanol in the biofuel slag heap. Energy Companies Rethink Palm Oil as Biofuel – enn
• And saving the BEST news for last — SanFran shows us how it’s done, coming down hard on plastic bags, those non-biodegradable, landfill-builders.  San Francisco Passes Plastic Bag Ban – yahoonews

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund was formed by the Connecticut state legislature in 2000. On Monday, CCEF chose 11 “clean power” projects that will be built under a ratepayer-funded subsidy program and generate about 160 megawatts of electricity.

Seven of the projects would run on fuel cells, a technology that uses hydrogen – typically derived from natural gas – to produce electricity through a chemical reaction. Most of the plants would be in Fairfield County, with the fuel cells and technology to be supplied by Connecticut companies. (more…)

What is your effect on the environment?

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Eco-fashion work and life partners, Karen Stewart & Howard Brown, spring a breezy line
of fresh organic threads — capturing the sublime natural beauty of California’s Wheeler Canyon and dreamy desires.

Spring separates are grounded in a natural base palette and surrounded by soft, muted colors.
Here are some of my personal faves; all are 100% organic cotton; made in usa; machine washable in cold water.

french terry tie bed jacket
perfect lounger in or out of bed. neat detailing
on collar & sleeve cuffs; side seam pockets; under
bust ties; blossom/chai/graphite $136

ruffle skirt
the epitome of comfort and style.
double layered crepe & cotton;
white/black/chai $79

crop pant
stay casually cool. light woven, antique button
at leg opening; wheat/black indigo $172

where to find @ stewartbrown.com

donates to one%fortheplanet.

free shipping on $100 or more.

• We may be creating a different world. Sweeping Changes to Global Climate by 2100 – afp/yahoo!
• Spring is sprung. Time to get down and dirty. X-Rated Yards Save the Environment – cnn
• Local politicians and religious leaders collaborate on the environment…talk about climate change. DesMoines Mayor Advocates for Environment – desmoinesregister
• Global warming skeptics are still laying in the weeds. The Politics of Attacking Gore – ap/abc
• I love a good giant toad news story. Australian Group Captures Giant Toad – ap

the give…
The knowledge that the chemicals we put on our body can be absorbed through the skin and enter our bloodstream has lead me on a search for a natural deodorant that’s not only safe to use, but also actually works.

And I’ve hit the jackpot — aah, the sweet smell of success! Erbaviva offers two different blends of 100% USDA certified organic deodorant; each has a lovely scent, and is very effective. Mixed with a base of organic grain alcohol, and available as either Sage & Lemon or Jasmine & Grapefruit — they contain no chemicals, synthetic preservatives, colorants, fillers, and most importantly, no aluminum. These powerful elixirs with organic essential oils at their core, score on all fronts; they neutralize odor, combat bacteria and don’t clog pores.

Having received official USDA organic certification this past January, erbaviva’s founder, Robin Brown, tells us: “While our company has been producing true organic products — completely free from pollutants, pesticides, artificial fertilizers, harsh detergents, chemical fragrances and other unhealthy additives since our inception more than a decade ago, we are pleased to be one of the few skincare companies that now has the official certification of organic purity from the US government. It reinforces our company’s mission of producing a quality product that our customers can trust is pure and natural, ethically and ecologically sound, while protecting the environment.” (more…)

The ergonomic, clean lines of these pieces are a striking testament to modern, utilitarian design. The curved lower portion of the design provides a sweet little storage bin – while also promoting the chair’s use as a gentle rocker.

Constructed of birch ply, they’re assembled without adhesives, using a small number of steel screws for assembly. At the end of their life-cycle they can be readily disassembled for recycling.

The Sunday chair goes for £240 @ u.k. based – ryanfrank.net

• An an energy source and weight-loss breakthrough all in one! Sugar Fueled Batteries Could Power Portable Electronics – engadget
• I hope someone finds this bird so I can sleep at night. Ivory Billed Woodpecker Sought in Texas – myway
• Massachusett’s Trust Targets Gas Leaks That Kill Trees – ap/yahoo!
• Another kind of nature story. The Fire Chief and the Sheep – smoking gun
• Recycled panda poop. Panda Poop to Do Double Duty in China – usatoday

Did you know that in Ireland in 2002, plastic bags were abolished practically overnight from the consumer shopping scene? If you haven’t seen the stats, Envirowoman rounds up some plastic bag info that’s sure to make you drop the plastic. NRDC provides a re-cap of IKEA’s moves to rid themselves of the plastic bags, offering customers reusable blue bags for 99cents/each. And yahoonews brings us the latest legislation regarding California’s efforts to bag the plastic.
Making the switch to reusable bags is easy to do. You just have to decide what you’ll use in place of the petro-based horrors.
Hopefully, you already own the perfect re-usable shopping bag — but you just don’t realize it. Perhaps it’s hiding in your closet — either on the floor or on a hard-to-reach shelf: maybe there’s a nice le sac or LL Bean lurking in the darkness, awaiting your grasp. Wouldn’t that be nice? You might uncover a lying in wait tote that you could flaunt on your way to the local market.

If you do need to purchase the perfect reusable shopping bag — first consider your personal, every day needs. How strong does it need to be? Does it need to collapse, roll-up & fold easily; or does it need to hold its shape? Washable? How stylish? Should it be made from sustainable material (hemp, jute, ingeo), organic cotton or recycled material with water or vegetable-based dyes; compost-able? Ideally, the answer to this last, detailed question is, YES! As with all goods,
there are degrees of green-ness regarding the manufacture of a reusable bag. Here are a few good places you might consider if you need to purchase the “next, eco fashion accessory”…

b. happybags – U.S-based; zippy graphics, cotton; $20.
(pics #2 & 4)
motorcity – recycled fence, ornj $26-60
bags of change – hemp-cotton, UK-based.

downbound – tote style hemp bag, $17.50; & organic cotton $3 & up.

Earthbags- made from jute.
Ecobags – string, hemp, woven, canvas – best selection of produce bags.
Ecoezi – set of 10, washable bags; $21.95/set.

Eco-handbags.ca – reusable shopping bags as well as eco chic handbags. free US & Canada shipping.
Ecoist.com – totes from recylced rice bags
Ecolution – for wholesalers only.
Ecosilk – Australia-based; nice Alpha Bags, solid colors.
Ecosafe Bags – Australian-based; wholesalers.
Environment Bags available to wholesalers.
Envirosax – eco-friendly, fold-able, sets of 5; (pics #1 & 3).

flip&tumble – 24-7 @12/each, great colors
greenfeet.com – chico & string bags.
hip&zen – more like handbags than shopping bags.

I’m Organic – certified organic totes. free shipping over $75.
I’m Smitten – unique, stylish graphics.

Krata – OneLessPlasticBag – unique, double-fold pocket
and from the UK.

Natural Collection – UK-based. “support local foods” washable cotton canvas; and GreenPeace’s Little Green Bag for groceries.
POSCH bags from UK-based, Natural Store. Handmade from vintage fabrics.
rawganique – 100% hemp shopping bags.
reusablebags.com – high eco-friendly factor; many stylish options; practical shapes; some with wheels.

SierraClub – great selection of bags; $20-$38 totes & cinch styles.
tree2mydoor.com – jute bags, stylish and nice selection of sizes, shapes & colors. (more…)

Sometimes a vegan has to climb something, hike somewhere or just be out in the wild. Nature is where it’s at. A good looking vegan hiking boot is essential for any serious exploration.

$125.06 @ zappos.com