Could tiny photosynthetic micro-organisms help solve our energy problems? We’ve written about companies developing algae-based fuel technologies in the past, (Vertigro Energy) and recent issues with biofuels have made algae-based technology even more compelling because the production process doesn’t require use of arable land or compete with humans for food stocks.

A new player in the algae tech is Sapphire Energy, who announced yesterday that they’ve produced renewable 91 octane gasoline that meets fuel industry standards. What makes this ecotechnology so attractive is that it’s not a traditional biofuel, isn’t ethanol, doesn’t require crops or farmland to be produced and can be used with existing infrastructure. “The basic production requirements are comprised of CO2, sun and water. Algae can flourish in non-arable land or in dirty water, and when it does flourish, its potential oil yield per acre is unmatched by any other terrestrial feedstock.”

Sapphire states that their “scalable production facilities can grow easily and economically because production is modular, transportable, and fueled by sunlight – not constrained by land, crops, or other natural resources.”

Venture capital companies and investment firms have plunked down $50 million to get Sapphire up and running.

find out more @ sapphireenergy.com and greencrudeproduction.com

Summertime is too hot for tight, clingy clothes. Go caj-sexy in these easy-to-wear, bamboo dresses with luscious draping or low pockets. Designer Anne Salvatore Epstein fashions Beau Soleil (named after her favorite oyster) with her new simple, modern and organic lifestyle in mind. Lucky us!

medallion ($275) available 2 colors – above L

beau babe ($275) available in 3 colors – above R

more styles and info about sustainable bamboo @ shopbeausoleil.com

I’m a leisurely cruiser-type, tried mountain biking a few times, which was great fun but I could have done without the black flies. Just sitting here thinking about what it would be like to cycle through India for 3900 kilometers makes me ache. Shrenik Rao, avid cyclist – environmentalist – CEO of Dolsun Media, is about to undertake such a trip.

Cycling from Kanyakumar in the south to Kashmir up north, his 80-day tour will be captured on film as part of a 6-part doc series. Commencing on World Environment Day, June 5, biker and creator of the TreeCycle project, Rao has partnered with UNEP to raise awareness of global warming and drum up a pledge of 10 million trees for the calories he will expend during the ride.

via Treehugger

Link to pledge your support @ United Nations Environment Programme – be sure to type For Shrenik Rao in the “Organization/Government/Group” box.

• Science gets ignored once again. Delisting of Wolves Raises Hackles – cs monitor
• It’s South Hampton so the maid will hang the clothes. New York Town Repeals Ban on Clotheslines – ap/myway
• Shark Attacks Hurt Tourism in Mexican Resort Area – cnn
• This is not some Hollywood stalker story. Strange Ring Found Circling Dead Star – science daily
• They mean individually. Researchers: City Residents Produce Less Carbon – yahoo! news
• The story above and this one are both potentially accurate. Study Shows Biggest Polluters East of the Mississippi - reuters
• Boutique Oyster Growers Give New Yorkers Options – nytimes
• Toilet Trouble for Space Station – bbc
• I use the phrase, “you know, what’s-his-name,” all the time. Women Have a Better Memory of Faces and Words – scientific american

Here’s a great way to reduce the amount of food scraps tossed in the trash, and start making some food for your home-grown herbs and veggies. Feed vegetable scraps, coffee grinds, meat, fish and dairy into the hopper and within 2 weeks you’ve got fresh fertilizer — check out the Pro Composter by NatureMill.

Why I like it:

• It works indoors or outdoors, even in cold weather, rain, or snow
• Reduces food waste and compost is ready every 2 weeks
• A red light will tell you when to empty the machine
• Just open the door and remove the compost
• External housing: recycled + recyclable polyethylene (stamped with the “5″ triangle recycling symbol)
• Spare carbon filter included for years of hassle-free operation
• Uses 10 watts of power – about 50 cents a month
• 20″ h x 20″ deep x 12″ w (51x51x30cm), 17 lbs (8 kg)
• Available in 6 colors
• For a three year period after purchase: free replacement parts, repair by field technician, or replacement of entire unit.

find @ greenhome.com ($395)

for more info on composting checkout compostguide.com

The Turkey Leg Phone (above). I guess you just haul out this one on Thanksgiving. No word on calling plans. via: gizmodo

Time for You Head Massager – Manually operated and designed to ‘stimulate the scalp’ and ‘reduce stress’. The extended use of this thing would increase my stress over collateral hair loss. Optional use: egg beater. $19.99

Disney Tinker Bell Wand – “Disney Store Recalls Tinker Bell Wands Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard” Hazard: The paint on the pearl beads in the flowers of the wands contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.” I long for the days of ‘Old Yeller” and toys made in the USA.

For fashion-forward Trekkies heading to Vegas for some Bill Shatner worship we present this Scrolling LED Message T-Shirt. Program up to 6 different ‘messages’. You’ll have to get creative on placement of the 3volt battery. $39.99 @ computergear.com

• I hurt my back doing some of this yesterday. Whales, Lizards Inspire Hi-Tech Bio-Mimicry – reuters
• Consumer habits go green. Shopping to Help Save the World – msnbc
• Trees suck up lots of CO2. Scientists Kill Thousands of Aspen Trees to Glimpse Forest’s Future – science daily
• A fate that can befall a German tourist in NYC. No Road Skills Makes Hedgehog Road Kill – bbc
• A 50 day bug spray? Better Mosquito Repellants on the Horizon – redorbit
• Huge Flying Reptiles Ate Dinosaurs – livescience
• Liquor Store Owner Told to Stop Taking Shoplifters’ Shoes – myway

Ladies, we all know finding a comfy swimsuit is no easy task. Here are a couple of stylishly sustainable bathing suits for staying cool when things start to heat up. Know of other great-fitting, eco-chic swimwear? Feel free to dive-in.

Ruffled Wrap Bikini (easy-fitting wrap-top, 90% organic cotton & 10% Spandex suit) @ BTC Elements

String Bikini (organic cotton & bamboo lining, recycled fabric outer layer) @ Green is Black

Related: previously on altCon, Hemp on the Beach, 1.10.07

Ashley Paige, 5.07.07

Getting away from it all doesn’t have to mean leaving your frosty cold-ones behind. These SunDanzer energy efficient DC refrigerators can keep your vitals cold while maintaining the off-the-grid status of your mountaintop yoga studio.

The fridge will cost somewhere around $1,000 with ancillary electrical stuff and solar array estimated costing another $900 to $1,000.

(via: productdose.com)