• Why Our Outlook for 2009 is Sunny – livescience
• Nothing lower than a sheep rustler…Helping to Keep an Eye on Ewe – bbc
• Ever try to get a sludge stain out of a white shirt Mr. Obama? Tenn. Sludge Spill Challenges ‘Clean Coal’ Future – discovery news
• Let the year-end top ten lists begin…Most Viewed Photos of 2008 – natgeo
• Alternative energy taken to a yucky extreme…Liposuction Doc Uses Human Fat for Fuel? – walletpop

Summer beach bunnies are now hopping onto the slopes all over the country. Thanks to outerwear manufacturer Holden, lassies can go drifter or gangster in unsurpassed ECO style.

The innovative outer fabric was created from recycled polyester and a solvent-free, waterproof, breathable laminate — reducing pollution and minimizing worker contact with harsh chemicals. These slim-fit snow slacks with a trouser cut feature: 2 front and 2 back pockets, inseam vents, gaiters, a belt and a slice of leather trim (an eco slight).  Note the zippers — they help regulate your body temp so you can stay cool and dry, inside and out.  more @ Holden

What are you still doing here?  Go play in the snow.  

Holden Casta Pant: ECO Ecot Womens @ backcountrygoat via couponshack.com ($229.95)

The Starry Night over the Rhone, 1888, Van Gogh @ moma through 1.5.09

perhaps the greatest gift is to be present. have yourself a divine Christmas Day…

I was surfing the net and look what popped up!  Too late for tomorrow, but too cute to overlook — Christmas-and winter-themed garb for the green toddlers.

Choose from an adorable array of organic cotton designs: santa on slopes, into the woods…choose Dala Reindeer print and partial profits help children in need via the HannaHelps program, (below R).

find stripes here and other designs @ hannaandersson.com
(regularly $37, but on sale now for $25). sweet.

I am all about solar gadgets, so when I came across this truly unique solar charger, I couldn’t help but share.  Designed by Vivien Muller, this solar charger is about meeting function with aesthetic.  Each module, which forms the branches of the tree, can be individually rotated, so essentially you can create an endless number of various shaped bonsai trees.  Each of which is unique to your taste.

There are 54 photovoltaic panels that make up the leaves of the tree.  Each panel stores energy in a battery, so you can recharge your cell phone or camera at your convenience, just as long as it has a USB port.  And, because all the wires and plugs are hidden under the bonsai tray, it would fit perfectly as décor on any desk or table (facing sunlight of course).  Unfortunately, this design has yet to make it to production.  And, there’s no word on how much it will retail for.  But, let’s keep our fingers crossed!  Because, I know I want one…

Which do you find more profane? Dropping the “f word” or carting our groceries around in plastic shopping bags and then dumping the discarded plastic bags into our landfills?

From across the pond, and in response to Anya Hindmarch’s eco-fashion faux pas, “I’m Not a Plastic Bag,” socially responsible, GoodOne created this Fair Trade made fashion statement from organic cotton. (£8)

visit goodone.co.uk for more info

Profanity, thy name is plastic bag.

Related:  previously on altCon
Anya Hindmarch – I’m Not a Plastic Bag NEWS (4.27.07)

Blue Avocado’s Coordinated Collection of Reusable Shopping Bags (11.13.08)

• Merry Christmas! Court Reinstates EPA Power Plant Pollution Rule – reuters
• ‘Green’ Jobs Compete for Stimulus Aid – msnbc/washington post
• Yet another gift. Oil Slips Below $40 as Recession Cuts Demand – yahoo! news
• Are you throwing away that pencil? Top 3 Sustainability Trends for 2009 – fast company
• On Blitzen…Reindeer Could Remain on the Run – livescience
• Giant Snowman Mysteriously Rises Again in Alaska – myway
• Holiday DIY is booming… For Craft Sales, the Recession is a Help – nytimes

UPDATE:  December 30, 7:40p.
It’s official – our lucky winner of this awesome hoody from Nau is Peter D. Congratulations! Thanks to everyone for entering.  And cheers to all for a healthy, happy new year! This Great Green Giveaway has come to a close.

(the original post follows)
Committed to sustainability and social responsibility, Portland, Oregon-based Nau is sponsoring this Great Green Giveaway.  Don’t be left out in the cold. One lucky winner will face this winter in casual style and comfort. Made from 87% recycled polyester and 13% Spandex, winner gets to choose either style:

Women’s profile fleece hoody – the smooth and durable exterior sheds water, wind and grime; and a plush fleece interior warms you to the core.

Men’s profile fleece hoody features hand pockets that zip shut, a collar that stays up even with the hood down, and a hood draw cord that won’t slap you in the face. The perfect combo of form, function and fit.

Prize valued at $195 (plus shipping).
Free Shipping, anywhere in the U.S.

To Enter this Random Drawing, simply:
Visit nau.com. Then Comment on this post, telling us why you like Nau. Add the following address to your email address book: m at AlternativeConsumer.com. Winner will be selected in our Random Drawing, and notified by email on Tuesday, December 30 at approximately 6p (ET). Winner has 24 hours to claim their prize, or offer is null and void. Winner’s name will also be included on this post.

Thanks for reading The Alternative Consumer — start clicking and good luck! (one entry per person, of course.) AltCon runs contests and giveaways all the time so subscribe to our RSS feed to stay updated.

I find it ironic that although we live in a time when efficiency appears to be the key to our survival, inefficient fuel options have prevailed. Corn ethanol, which has attracted heavy investment, unfortunately uses more energy in its creation than it physically produces upon combustion.

It’s not just corn either, as a University of California-Berkeley study found that many crops intended for plant-based fuels (soybean, switch grass, sunflower, etc) were using between 27 to 118 percent greater amounts of fossil energy than that produced upon their combustion. This is due to the energy intensive processes of making synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides to grow and maintain the crops, as well as the energy required in irrigating the crops, powering farm machinery, mechanically grinding the crop and transporting it to its final destination.

All hope for biofuels isn’t lost, however, as many varieties still present great opportunities for us. My favorite option is that of algae, one of nature’s fastest growing plants. Depending on the strain, these organisms contain up to 60% oil, can be used in present diesel engines, continually reproduce themselves, and are non-toxic and readily biodegradable.  More importantly, they help us out in problematic areas besides that of fuel.

They can feed and develop on our ever-abundant stores of sewage, and agricultural/ industrial runoff (thereby cleaning our air and waterways), are able to survive in saltwater (eliminating the demand for freshwater), and can easily be grown in the desert and other vacant lands (freeing up more land for food production). The cherry on top is their ability to produce 30 to 250 times the amount of oil per acre than other biofuel crops! Check out Pure Energy Fuels to learn more on helping to shift this country from yellow to green.

image: algenol biofuels