It’s cold wet and icy outside. You’ve got to do your ‘bidness.’  Some do-gooder has covered the sidewalk with rock salt or some other toxic, ice melting material – time to break out the doggie footwear.

Once again, my friends at Olive Green Dog have found a product that gets the job done better and greener.  Pawz is the world’s only disposable, natural rubber dog boot designed to go on easily and fit securely without zippers, straps or Velcro.  These biodegradable, booties let a hound feel the ground while remaining fully protected from the crap that’s on it.  Slide ‘em on and hit the streets!

in a variety of sizes and fashionable colors- $14 @ olivegreendog.com
(OliveAC = code for 15% off)

A British study has found that many micro, or home wind turbines, don’t deliver the energy wallop that their manufacturers’ claim.

Home turbines included in this particular study produced less than 5% of a home’s daily energy consumption, versus the 30% that many turbine manufacturers claim is possible. This study was funded by the British Wind Energy Association and the government which inspected turbines in four rural, 10 suburban and 12 urban sites for a year-long period.  The small sample size leaves the results open to question. The British Wind Energy Association still estimates that small and micro wind turbines possess the potential to produce 10% of Britain’s energy needs.  Wind turbine performance is directly related to site-specific: wind speeds, location and design.

source: physorg.com

• We buy their oil and they go solar – ouch! Solar to Power UAE ‘Green City’ – reuters
• Science and the law will rule the EPA…Obama EPA Pick Will Investigate Coal Ash Sites – msnbc
• That’s a big flock…Chinese Flock to Internet, Despite Government Censors – cs monitor
• God and Science: An Inner Conflict – livescience
• DiCaprio’s New Watch Deal to Benefit Environmental Causes – ecorazzi
• They say he’s not dangerous? Feces Throwing Monkey On the Loose in Tampa Bay – myway

Lexus is launching “the world’s first dedicated luxury hybrid vehicle” later this summer.

The HS 250h Lexus will offer the best combined mpg of any luxury vehicle in the U.S., and its city mpg is estimated to be higher than the two-passenger Smart micro car (they haven’t released exact mpg estimates).  Additional green stats: about 30% of the vehicle’s interior and luggage areas will be covered with carbon-neutral, plant based, Ecological Plastic (bio-plastic). The HS 250h features: an exhaust heat recovery system, a windshield with infra-ray properties to reduce interior heat and associated air conditioning, and available power-saving LED headlamps can also contribute to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions.  The vehicle’s aerodynamic design is intended to reduce drag, noise and increase mpg.  And, lastly, it earns a SULEV emissions rating utilizing regular 87-octane gasoline.

more info @ lexus.com

This post is written by Guest Blogger, Stephanie Mercado, who traveled to Argentina recently. She visited this shop a few times since it was close to the hostel, and the owner was quite friendly. “The perfumer told me lots of stories about native legends, tea and perfumes … and a little bit on how she creates her perfumes. So, we do keep in touch.”

When I discovered the Loya Rossa line, by Arkadia, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that not only does it smell fantastic, but it’s also planet friendly: the packaging is recyclable, the ingredients are biodegradable and the only synthetics used are meant to replace animal raw materials.

This line consists of three fragrances (and two that are still being developed) made from native herbs, each one representing a different Argentinean region: mosqueta rose from the Patagonia, lemon verbena (or cedrón) from the northwest, lavender from Cuyo (wine region), tea camellia from the northeast and chamomile from the Pampa. Wearing these perfumes really takes me back to my trip and the wonderful country that is Argentina.

The perfumes are sold in some top Buenos Aires hotels and in their atelier, also in B.A.  Prices may vary, but they range between 35 and 50 pesos for a 200 c.c. bottle (10 to 15 dollars).

find @ loyarossa.com.ar

I’ve recently noticed NYC bursting with new bike lanes as our intrepid Mayor Bloomberg tries to create Paris on the Hudson.  No better time to get your butt in gear and start pedaling to that desk job of yours in the newly renovated Garment District or your night job working the door at the Cave in Williamsburg.  The beautifully foldable, TX Commuter from SwissBike.

This bike is designed to have all the features and performance of its non-folding brethren, with the added ability to be folded up, thrown in the trunk of your car, or taken up to your cubicle to prevent it being hijacked.  Weighs 30 lbs.

You can even take advantage of the newly minted Bicycle Commuter Act which is buried deep within this fall’s Economic Stimulus Package (i.e. bailout), which allows your employer to give you a tax-free $20 a month to cover your various bike commuting expenses.

goes for $699 @ swissbike.com

• I just saw a big purple frog…Caffeine Can Cause Hallucinations – livescience
• The scientist says he never mentioned Google…Google Disputes Reported Carbon Footprint of Typical Google Search – environmental leader
• This only seems appropriate…As Humans Hunt, Their Prey Gets Smaller: Study – reuters
• New Soil Map for African Farmers – bbc
• Cape Wind anyone? Patrick Sets Ambitious Wind Power Goal for Mass. – boston globe
• Why does a lot of weird stuff happen in China? Pig Catches Fish (w/photo) – ananova

Move over, Certs. Take a back seat, Tic Tacs.  We’ve found an alternative to the mass-produced, chemical-laden, not-so-natural mints that dominate the market.

Called VerMints, the company was launched in a small kitchen in Vermont with a mission to create the highest quality and best-tasting mints and pastilles on the market.  You won’t find any nasties like high-fructose corn syrup, chemicals and meat byproducts in these tasty treats, only natural ingredients like organic maple syrup, Vermont spring water, natural ground ginger root and organic mint leaves.

Available in six flavors, they’re manufactured according to exact standards to prevent cross contamination with allergens; they’re kosher, gluten- and nut-free and vegan friendly, too. Plus, the unique, artful tins are perfect for reusing (they’re ideal for holding hair ties). Use the Store Locator on the VerMints website to find them in your area.

Idbids Eco-friendly Starter Kit has been nominated as 2009 Educational Toy of the Year by the Toy Industry Association.  Pictured on the right is the ‘Lola the Flower Idbid’ and Starter Kit. (iddy biddy steps for a greener world.)

Each starter kit contains:

• One 9” Idbid handcrafted toy made of 100% organic Egyptian cotton
• colored with natural organic dyes – no two are alike.
• Organic cotton backpack for child to wear
• Storybook and Field Guide printed on recycled paper with eco-friendly inks
• Online reward program
• Packaging is made from recycled and eco-friendly materials and includes paper doll cutouts and a playland insert

$39.99 @ idbids.com