• Climate Change Could Harm Crops – enn – Ya’ think?
• I’m kinda speechless trying to process this one. Paul Newman Endorses Indian Point Nuke Plant – ap/msnbc
• Now about those cotton and corn subsidies…World Scientists Target Fishing Subsidies – reuters
• Blue hair meets green living. Remote Florida Site Eyed For New Green Town – ap/enn
• Anybody seen Godzilla? Japan Proposes 50% Emission Cuts by 2050 – afp/yahoo!

Inspired by the Summer 2007 issue of Mother Earth News, here’s our latest round-up of some really useful Resources for Energy Efficiency and Good Green Living:

ORGS
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
202 429.8873; www.aceee.org
for ways to save energy, and learn about U.S. energy policies

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse
www.eere.energy.gov
for consumer info, tips for renters and recommendations for how much insulation to use in your climate

Co-op America
coopamerica.org
for green living, purchasing and investing tips & resources

PASSIVE Solar Design
www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/construction/solardesign
an overview of passive solar design strategies from the California Energy Commission

DIY Solar Projects
www.builditsolar.com
tips from Gary Reysa, a retired aircraft engineer, who lives in Montana and is a big proponent of solar power

SUSTAINABLE by Design
www.susdesign.com/tools.php
advanced tools for calculating sun position, the impact of window overhangs and more

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
www.energytaxincentives.org
for info on federal tax credits. (To learn more about local incentives, contact your utility or state energy office.)

HOME ENERGY AUDIT
hes.lbl.gov
Save big on your utility bills with this comprehensive tool, to help evaluate your home’s energy use.

ENERGY STAR PROGRAM
888.782.7937; www.energystar.gov
learn about Energy Star-certified homes, and energy-efficient appliances

GREEN LAWNS
www.safelawns.org
Save money and create a beautiful, eco-friendly lawn without the use of toxic chemicals and pesticides.

DO IT YOURSELF
www.doityourself.com
lots of how-to tips, and an excellent resource for DIY projects of all types, and levels

RECYCLE
www.freecycle.org
exchange your treasures with others, for free

www.earth911.com
search by zip code to find where you can recycle just about everything, from household chemicals and motor oil to cell phones and computers

altCon friendly reminder — be sure to replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) — they burn cool and bright, with only a third of the power required by incandescents.

Antony Brown, Director of Ecosa Institute sheds light on the importance of green building today: “Because half of all carbon emissions come from the building sector, the American Institute of Architects has announced the 2010 Imperative to increase ecological literacy in all design classrooms by 2010 and the 2030 Challenge to reduce the carbon output of all new construction 10% every five years, so that by 2030 all new buildings are completely carbon neutral. The Mission Lane project is an example of the work the Ecosa Institute is doing to address the oncoming crisis of climate change and can serve as a model for other designers attempting to meet the 2030 Challenge.”

How gratifying it must be for the students involved in designing a 45-unit affordable housing project to see their work move into the construction document phase. Ecosa Institute’s Total Immersion Semester in Sustainable Design worked together with Desert Mission Neighborhood Renewal, a non-profit community development organization sponsored by John C. Lincoln hospital in Phoenix, Arizona to create plans for an environmentally, socially and economically responsible housing project for “workers who provide vital services to the community,” as the National Society of Homebuilders has noted. (Source: prweb.com)

Another Arizona-based, Ecosa hot-bed project, Wild Bill Ranch, in the Coconino National Forest, whose mission was to be totally self-sufficient in power and other resources.

Ecosa Institute was founded by Antony Brown in 1998, and has offered semesters in sustainable design for people of all backgrounds and interests since 2000. For a history of Ecosa’s approach to experiential education, and a brief, yet enlightening video interview with Brown, click here, where we learn, “the word ‘sustainability’ is a dumb word…It’s more about ‘survival’ right now…90% of habitat is destroyed so we can build buildings.”

LINKS: Ecosa’s hands-on, summer workshops
fall and winter semester programs
impressive faculty or @ ecosainstitute.org/

AIA’s Top 10 Green Buildings for 2007 (via:Sustainable Style Foundtn)

Being crafty today is all the rage — knitting, crocheting, felting, spinning, scrapbooking, quilting, beading…and we love that. CraftyGear just announced a line of merch with kitschy designs and slogans for the crafty types. Here’s the only eco-friendly gift I could find from the Naughty Knitter line of over 50 items. Alas, too bad CraftyGear isn’t both green and crafty.

Know a lot of guy knitters? Here’s a goofy, organic men’s tee for $19.99

Put your cash in something green. This tri-fold wallet is constructed of 100% hemp, and sports a wide assortment of pockets for all your debt-creating plastic — for a very modest $15.95.

available in black, moss, wine and sand

@ the hempest

• Forecast: Expect More Hurricanes – cs monitor
• Kids can learn about clear cutting and erosion and…Forest Service Aims to Get Kids Out in the Woods – enn
• Cheaper Solar Power Heads Mainstream – reuters – Will federal energy subsidies cover Chinese solar products?
• NYC: Yellow Cabs Turn Green (video) – reuters
• Maybe we’ve found some of the missing honey bees. Bee Swarm Disrupts Fund Raising Walk – aol news
• Museum Offered Head for Shrinking – bbc – Where there’s a ‘will’ there’s a ‘way’.

This pocket-size, folding solar charger fits most models of Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola or Samsung cellphones. Power cord adaptor included. It can also charge 4 AA or AAA batteries in the attached battery holder. Phone charging can be solar direct, or energy stored in the batteries. The compact folding design protects the cells during transport. Delivers 250 mA @ 6.0 volt. 4.5″ x 2.6″ x 1.3″

$69 @ gaiam.com

$47.99 on sale @ all-battery.com

London-based Jilly Cholmondeley’s love affair with hemp landed her in the bedroom, designing 100% hemp bed linens. Jilly’s first luxurious line is sourced and woven in Italy, and appears in two exquisite styles. With its silky smooth touch, these eco chic goods are perfect for all bedroom activities, and peace of mind — sweet dreams come from sweet thoughts of hemp’s luscious, green lifecycle.

a little piece of heaven, exclusively @ jillycholmondeley.com

The Zoo Timers clock collection provides a fun take on time for young people of all ages. Designed in the 50′s by George Nelson these clocks are silk-screened lacquered wood with metal hands and quartz movement. Now made for Vitra Design.
one AA battery

more @ vitra.com

$148 online @ gabrielross.com