Today’s consumer environment is a world where ’sustainability’ and DIY represent all things positive and ‘discard’ ‘dispose’ and ‘replace’ are part of Satan’s vernacular. One huge component of sustainability is merely keeping things running and serviceable. No running to the mega-mall to buy little Trevor a new IPod every time his battery dies or buying a new flat panel tv because your remote doesn’t work. It’s time to get that stuff fixed and operational.

Well there’s a new resource on the block to help us manage, FixYa.com. FixYa is a support community and knowledge base for repairing consumer products. The folks at this site have compiled a database of consumer electronics support, product info, repair advice, manuals and troubleshooting that may be unsurpassed on the internet. The idea behind FixYa is to aggregate and organize all the product support information that is littered across the quagmire that is the internet in a single user friendly location. FixYa is also a huge knowledge base and product forum that is constantly updated by a live community of users who share their experiences of technical problems and solutions. The site utilizes a rating system that allows users to find the best solution for every problem and, quite often, offer a new solution.

FixYa’s stated goal is to offer the best solutions for the most common problems of each and every product the site is covering. Their knowledge base is centered on user experience rather than FAQs compiled by manufacturers so you may find some guy in a bunker in Idaho who has come up with an innovative approach to fixing your faulty massage chair or your juiced-out juicer.

I did a quick search on a problem I was having with my tv and got some good insights from the user base.

check it out @ FixYa.com

Beware, summer is disappearing fast. Thankfully great summer dresses like this are a timeless investment. Inspired by the cheery vibe of 1950s and ’60s California classic silhouettes, this piece exemplifies New York designer Jenny Hwa’s eco-driven vision.

“loyale clothing is inspired by understated sophistication, alluring fit and sustainable fabrics for the fashionably conscious set. Taking an ecological stance, while creating frocks with beckoning silhouettes and charming details are loyale’s signature criteria.”

• hemp/organic cotton linen
• sweatshop-free & enviro-friendly
• manufactured in USA

in teal (pictured) or navy

$146 @ equita

• Drive right by that Walmart. Buying local is where it’s at! Rooted in Local Fresh Taste – cs monitor
• Might be time to make this formal. U.N. Assembly to Conduct Informal Debate on Climate Change – breitbart
• The term ‘lake front property’ doesn’t mean what it used to. Shrinking Lake Superior Mystifies Scientists – livescience
• Shocking! Senator Ted Stevens, that hater of all things green, may have taken some ‘green’ himself. U.S.Senator Stevens Home Searched by FBI – ap/yahoo!
• This sort of epitomizes GM’s vision…or lack thereof. General Motors Shoots Foot With Rush Limbaugh Green Ad – ecorazzi

Perhaps being labeled a “Climate Pig” by Greenpeace has motivated Porsche to develop a hybrid or, more likely, the marketing folks at the German automaker see a new market segment and some bucks to be made with a little greenwashing. It is estimated the Cayenne hybrid will get about 24mpg (current model gets approx. 19mpg highway).
In any case the 2009 Cayenne Hybrid will feature a full-hybrid design.

This from the press release:
“where the hybrid module (clutch and electric motor) is positioned between the combustion engine and the transmission rather than having the hybrid drivetrain branching output along various lines and in various directions via a planetary gearset. Porsche selected this design because the in-line configuration of the hybrid components are more compatible with the existing Cayenne platform, this system in testing is more fuel efficient, and because this configuration is a better fit for Porsche as it will provide improved acceleration and engine flexibility compared to a conventional Cayenne.

Coordinating the car’s three main components – the combustion engine, the electric motor and the battery – is the Hybrid Manager, the heart of the Cayenne Hybrid. The Hybrid Manager, which oversees some 20,000 data parameters as compared to only 6,000 data parameters for a conventional engine, is one of the most powerful technologies found in any hybrid vehicle.

Other unique features of the Cayenne Hybrid designed to decrease fuel consumption include the power steering and vacuum pump for the brakes, as well as the air conditioning, which operate on electric power. Technical components, such as the oil pump in the Cayenne’s automatic transmission, have been replaced by electrically powered units. The Cayenne Hybrid’s electro-hydraulic steering – a first for a vehicle of its kind, will ensure the Cayenne Hybrid drives like a Porsche with predictable and safe handling characteristics and the agility that is expected of a Porsche SUV.”

full businesswire release
(note: pictured above is the totally redesigned 2010 Cayenne)

This mid-sized shoulder bag is an inspirational blend of three different types of recycled vintage fabrics, contemporary-retro style and some masterful stitching.

The front is made from a textured 50’s turquoise & white speckled fabric, the sides from turquoise floral 60’s fabric. The flip over front is made from a white 50’s textured satin type fabric & boasts a very ample vintage button.

The strap is constructed from an old belt so it’s easy to adjust the length, and the bottom of the bag is wooden to provide structural strength and an enduring shape. The inside is lined with cotton.

dimensions:
base- 8 x 4 inches / height- 9 inches / width at top- 13 inches

£40 @ hellishcheeky.co.uk

• Global Warming Blamed as China Endures Freak Weather – breitbart
• Photo gallery: 7 New Wonders vs. 7 Old Wonders of the World – natgeo
• The same principal applies to Congress and our tax dollars. New Porous Material Can Soak up Pollutants – enn
• Global Warming Doubles the Number of Hurricanes: Study – afp/yahoo!
• The naked truth. Hundreds Bicycle in the Buff in Transportation Protest (video) – breitbart
• More water…more crickets. Texas Areas Battle Cricket Invasion – msnbc
• I guess I just don’t understand the culture of speed. Electric Dragsters Aim for Gas-Powered Records - usatoday

One of my favorite monthlies is Natural Home. It’s filled with lots of good info about developing a natural, modern lifestyle. Here’s an online taste of what they have to offer. Avoid Greenwashers’ False Claims: How do I know I’m buying green? and Sustainable Landscaping and Chemical-Free Yards: the Earth-friendly grass is always greener.

Let us know what you’re reading.

Eco design, organic food and green architecture programming will be available 24/7 this time next year, thanks to Discovery channel. They’re making a $50 million investment in original programming that will be centered around sustainable development and conservation. The Nature Conservancy, Treehugger and Grist will participate in the development of this exciting new programming. Bring it on.

planetgreen.discovery.com and more info here.

• Governments used to concentrate their censorship efforts on newspapers and print. Report Warns Against Too Many ‘Net’ Rules – ap/myway
• “We’re out of ice honey.” Mysterious Huge Ice Chunks Fall in Iowa – livescience
• If you’re going to run for president you need to have either lived in a cave or at least avoided all human contact (also see Giuliani, Rudy and Clinton, Bill). Isn’t Bloomie asexual? Sex Suit Could Be Problem for Bloomberg and then there’s Hillary’s High School letters – ap/yahoo!
• Achievement has no age limit. Fla. Man 88, Becomes Eagle Scout – aol/ap
• How much can you learn about nature playing Nintendo? Just a question. Study: Rural Students Better in Science – usatoday

Another green report from 16-year old Zach McGrath

If you’re looking for a green and exciting way to vacation this year, you will be pleased to discover that Royal Caribbean offers some of the most eco-friendly cruise vacations out there. Their on-board “Save the Waves” program has transformed the way their ships run, while keeping the cruising experience as leisurely and adventurous as ever. The main goals of this program are to reduce the creation/generation of waste materials, recycle as much as possible, and ensure the proper disposal of any remaining waste. Royal Caribbean International has taken significant measures over the years to reduce the volume of ship-generated waste that must be processed.

Agreements are in place with their suppliers to control the volume of material delivered to ships that must be processed as waste. In addition, all disposable plastic items typically available to guests, such as shampoo bottles, plastic plates and flatware, have been eliminated. Finally, Royal Caribbean is committed to the pledge that nothing goes overboard.

Many waste products generated on-board Royal Caribbean ships must be handled with special care. These waste products include used paints and thinners, medical waste, dry-cleaning fluids, aerosol cans, used butane lighters and old batteries. These wastes are never disposed of in trash containers, in the ships’ sinks and drains, or in the ships’ toilet systems.

Regulations allow Royal Caribbean ships to have a zero-discharge policy for solid wastes. All wastes remaining are either incinerated or taken care of in other green ways.

But how does Royal Caribbean International ensure that all of these standards are upheld on every ship? An environmental officer is assigned to each ship to manage its overall environmental program. These officers receive specialized training to prepare them for overseeing and verifying all environmental systems, equipment, procedures and crew training.

Feel free to check out the Royal Caribbean website to uncover other ways they “keep it green to help keep the big blue, blue“.

Green Quote of the Week
“Everyday is Earth Day for Royal Caribbean International. We’re trying to save fuel and water all the time. It’s good business sense, and it’s just the right thing to do – for everybody. My grandkids have got to grow up in this world, and they want to be able to drink clean water at the end of the day. So anything we can do now is going to help.”

• Environmental Officer James Chapman of Royal Caribbean’s “Vision of the Seas”

plan a cruise @ royalcaribbean.com

Zooey tees are noted among my fashion circle as being the softest, most comfy lounge wear out there. If they were less expensive, I’d have one in every color.

If you’re looking for an excuse to stock up, here you go. Teaming up with Love & Eight, Zooey recently released the “Be The Cure” Tee that supports the Healthy Child Healthy World organization.

Made from organic bamboo (70%) and cotton (30%), $2 from each sale will go directly toward the organization. Choose from seven designs, this one on sale now @ $41. Free ground shipping at www.ShopBop.com.

• The U.N. is late to the table again. U.N. Aims to Set Example in Carbon Neutral Push – reuters
• This speaks for itself. Spice Girls Reunion Tour Features Five Private Jets – ecorazzi
• Shoot a wolf from a helicopter and kill a dozen trees. Wolves Help Yellowstone Trees Recover – livescience/msnbc
• The answer to this question is no, but maybe it’s a start. Can Green ‘Chic’ Save the Planet? – cs monitor
• Bush Environment Chief Draws Fire on Global Warming – enn

Sweat out the rest of summer’s heat the right way: fully protected from harsh sun rays. In its July issue, Consumer Reports Magazine ranked Keys Solar Rx All-Natural SPF 30+ Sunblock number one in its category—non-water resistant. Clean, green and vegan, it’s a broad spectrum UVA and UVB sunblock that uses nano-zinc oxide in an all-natural moisturizer to prevent aging UV rays from getting near your glowing skin.

Says Keys CEO Wendy Steele, “To be an all-natural sunblock is… proof that you don’t need a bunch of junk in a product for it to be superior.”

$19.95 at www.keys-soap.com.

How safe is your sunscreen? Check it out @ SkinDeep, the Environmental Working Group’s latest report on sunscreens. Their Top-rated and Bottom-rated Lists.