I’ll forgo the usual joke about the designers of this concept car sampling the raw materials, and get to the real issue – automakers exploring alternative manufacturing materials and solar power as components in making a car greener and more energy efficient.

Sports cars are supposed to be all about performance, almost exclusively at the expense of the environment. But this Lotus, which recently made an appearance at the British International Motor Show, makes a nice move to the greener side of the highway.

The brown sections of the body of the Lotus Elise pictured above are a made from renewable, lightweight, pressed hemp.  The hemp used is ethically farmed and grown locally to Lotus, so the amount of CO2 created in shipping the material is minimal and the hemp plants themselves absorb CO2 in the growing process. The hemp body parts are lightweight and not structurally critical.  The roof-mounted solar panels power the Eco Elise’s electrical subsystems, including the iPod/MP3-compatible stereo, which increase MPG.

Of course calling it “Eco” is more than a little bit of a stretch since the Eco Elise is still a gas guzzling sportscar at heart, but it does show the industry designers pushing body construction and power systems in a positive direction.  Now about that engine…

photos + via: asia.cnet.com

another photo after the jump (more…)

WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

Compliments of HempGarden, The Alternative Consumer’s Great Green Giveaway random drawing has drawn to a close. And it’s official –  Congratulations to our lucky winners: Colleen S., Christene and Charlene (rhyming is unintentional)!

Winners will receive HempGarden’s luxuriating Hand Cream (120ml)! It nourishes and protects even the driest of skin, with extracts of carrot, Aloe Vera, Frankincense and enhanced with Patchouli, lemon and Geranium.

Thank You to everyone for entering, and Congratulations to our winners.  You can all be winners by visiting HempGarden, to help keep your skin beautiful.

Our next Great Green Giveaway begins tomorrow…stay tuned!

Eco fashion innovation, or tech overkill – you be the judge.  Zegna Sport has created their Solar Ski-JKT with a collar-mounted solar panel to harness the suns rays to keep the electronic toys of communication-starved Wall Street-types and small device junkies fully charged on the slopes.  Whether heli-skiing into remote terrain or just posing by the lodge in Aspen, you can now stay in touch with mom and/or ski some bumps while listening to that death metal you so love without plugging into that wall socket at the Travel Lodge to recharge.

Charges most 5 and 6 volt devices. Oh, the collar can be removed and operated independent of the jacket, or for cleaning. Features pockets for all your electronic doo-dads, and reinforced shoulders etc. if you actually want to do some skiing or boarding.

goes for a frightening $995

Now what ever happened to the concept of skiing as a Zen-like escape into nature…

find a store

• I’m relaxing 2,300m under the sea and someone hauls my butt up to the surface…so uncool…(video) Live Fish Caught at Record Depth – bbc
• Most people can’t safely operate a golf cart…New Jetpack Jumps One Step Closer to Our High-Flying Dreams – cs monitor
• Prius Porn; Next Generation Spotted in the Wild – ecorazzi
• Let me put it this way. I’m in negotiations with a 90-year old woman to swap my first-floor apartment for one on the 72nd floor…How Vulnerable to Flooding is New York City? – enn
• Usual scenario. We re-introduce a critter back into its natural habit and some joker  shoots it to protect his sheep herd…Bison Groomed, Culled in Bid to Grow Herds – msnbc
• Wind Overtakes Water in Britain’s Green Energy Mix – reuters
• The Caddy angle enriches the irony…Officer Foils Cadillac Driver’s Free Gas Plan – myway
• (photo) Golden Retriever Adopts 3 Tiger Cubs at Kan. Zoo – boston globe
• Don’t miss “Between Heaven and Earth” – Architect Bonding Humanity and Landscape in a Perfect Circle – nytimes

Want to keep your MacBook fully charged as you work on that novel of yours while sprawled naked in the wilderness high atop Mt. Katahdin? This new Apple Juicz solar charging system from Quickertek for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and MacBooks can charge your laptop while it’s in use with sweet, sustainable, solar energy.  The whole deal (including MacBook Air) can be stored in the free Element carrying bag pictured above.  The unfolded solar panel is pictured at right.

Comes in 15, 27 and 55watt versions that will run you from $500 to $1,000 and you’ll need a MagSafe adapter that runs another $100.

find it @ quickertek.com

via: pocket-lint

A secret fantasy of mine is to live in the Pacific Northwest, perhaps in the San Juan Islands area.  So when I stumbled upon Balance Architects’ prefabs built with sustainable practices by Method Homes, I had to take note.

As of right now, any of their 3 models of prefabricated vacation cabins can be delivered to you whether you live on San Juan Islands, the mountains of Washington, Montana, British Columbia, Oregon or Idaho; and they’re working their way further south and east.

Utilizing certified-FSC lumber, bamboo cabinets, EcoTop Countertops, Energy Star appliances, Yolo no-VOC paint, radiant heat and solar power options for generating electricity, construction targets a rating of LEED for homes 2.0 or higher.  Appropriately green for a cabin in the woods.

These eco-minded prefabs can be constructed in a day, but allow at least 3 months for the entire process. For those who want a vaca in Mount Baker, Washington, you can rent one of these babies and try before you buy.  Check out their 2-bedroom, replete with organic sheets.  I just might be heading west very soon. more @ methodhomes.net

via:  haute nature

• Arctic Ice Bigger Than 2007, But Thawing Long-Term – reuters
• I honestly don’t see anything green about this but…Bono to be Godfather to Jolie and Pitt’s Twins? – ecorazzi
• Bees Join Hunt for Serial Killers – bbc
• Not Deano Martin silly…(photo) Dino Era Fish Head Found in Garden? – natgeo
• What SPF is on that cabbage of yours? Sunblock for Fruits and Veggies? Farmers Try It – msnbc
• Inquiring minds want to know…Why do We Yawn? – earthsky.org
• I’ve known many a law-breaking canine. Dog in Court – ananova

The move toward a more energy efficient future is edging forward. Popular home and small business network electronics maker, D-Link, has announced that they’ve become one of the first manufacturers to produce energy-saving home network Wi-Fi routers capable of saving up to 40 percent in power usage.

D-Link is expanding its Green Initiative by adding eco-friendly features to its award-winning Xtreme N™ line of Wi-Fi Internet routers to decrease energy costs by reducing power consumption.

From the company press release: “…innovative energy-saving technology that automatically detects link status and network cable length, then adjusts power accordingly. The D-Link routers also feature Wi-Fi scheduling that allows customers to easily program when the Wi-Fi radio signals are turned on and off to further save energy consumption.”

The Green technology will be incorporatied in the D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router (DIR-655), D-Link Xtreme N Duo™ Media Router (DIR-855), and the D-Link Xtreme N Gaming Router (DGL-4500).

Find the routers at the company’s online store, www.dlinkshop.com,

It’s time to add some eco sizzle to your collection of eco swimwear.  This two-piece Eco-Bikini from Nikster features a Bandeau-style top, and Brazilian-cut bottom with white ruffles.  Created with soy, organic cotton and spandex fabrics.  (is that Terry Hatcher in the photo?)

made in the old US of A
$100.00 @ nikster.com

Related:  previously on altCon

eco swimsuits – green is sexy

hemp on the beach

Ashley Paige – eco chic

Everyone is continuously challenged with the burden of charging their ubiquitous cellphone. Genesis Electronics has patented a solar holster that will keep your phone charged while you go about your daily business. The Sunblazer will keep your faithful cellphone at optimum charge just by adding a little sunlight. You’ll now have a more compelling excuse for joining the growing legion of pocket-liner, cellphone-on-the-belt wearing geekazoids.

Parent company Pricester.com and Taiwanese electronics maker MediaTek are negotiating to mass produce the green gadget.

Remember that cellphone charger of yours slurps-up energy when plugged-into the wall even if your phone isn’t charging, so unplug that charger when not in use.

• Brazil Defends Biofuel Merits – bbc
• This whole Hannah Montana craze is bludgeoning my environment…The Miley Cyrus Eco Song May be the Best One Yet – ecorazzi
• I vote ‘gag order.’  EPA E-Mail to Officials a Gag Order? -msnbc
• The Oil Rush – Has Global Oil Poduction Reached Its Tipping Point? – washington post
• I don’t know how they get ‘cool’ out of this…Does Cuil Just Offer More to Ignore? – cs monitor
• PETA Wants Military to Stop Using Animals in Medical Training – cnn
• 10 Things to Scratch from Your Worry List – nytimes
• Oye! Six-Legged Deer Gets New Home After Dog Attack – breitbart
• Tech Zombies: 6 Technologies That Don’t Know They’re Dead – cracked.com
• This Senator embodies all that is wrong with America.  Alaska Senator Is Indicted on Corruption Charges – nytimes

A big part of going green is becoming more conscious of everyday things and their lifecycle.  Take for example, plastic hangers.  At first glance, typical clothes hangers might seem rather harmless. But in fact, they are a blight on our environment.

It’s estimated that 8 billion plastic hangers are thrown into landfills each year, leaching some of the most toxic chemicals such as benzene and bisphenol-A into our ground water for upwards of 1000 years.  Oakland-based GreenHeart Global is a sustainable industrial design and manufacturing company whose first product line is Ditto Hangers, which are made from recycled or easily recycled materials and intended for various retail markets. For the past several months they’ve been making available to consumers, packs of 100 of  their eco-friendly hangers  (100 @ $74).

And beginning next month, handy 10-packs of Ditto hangers (price, TBD) will be offered to consumers as well. As positive eco change takes many forms, this is very good indeed.

Related:  previously on altCon,
(3.13.08) Hung Up on How to Go Green?

UPDATE July 31, 12:50pm – This Giveaway is Concluded:

3 Winners Have Been Selected:  Christene, Colleen S. and  Charlene – Congratulations!

Compliments of HempGarden, The Alternative Consumer’s Great Green Giveaway will be awarded to 3 different Winners.

Win HempGarden’s luxuriating Hand Cream (120ml)! It nourishes and protects even the driest of skin, with extracts of carrot, Aloe Vera, Frankincense and enhanced with Patchouli, lemon and Geranium.

To enter:  first visit HempGarden.  Then enter a comment on this post telling us why you’d like to receive this naturally beautiful gift.  It’s that simple.

And for all you guys, this giveaway would make for a nifty surprise gift to any lucky lady in your life.

Random drawing will take place on Thursday, July 31 at 12:30noon, ET. Three winners will be selected and notified by email.  Winners need to reply to notification in 24 hours in order to claim their individual prize. (enter m at alternativeconsumer dot com in your address book) Prize value $20, free shipping. So start clicking, and best of luck!