This week, a surprising eco endeavor was announced in the travel arena: the world’s first non-profit, green resort community, which will be built on a 124-acre private island on the northern tip of the Palawan Biosphere Reserve in the Philippines.

The eco chic digs, known as The Cacao Pearl, Palawan, is raising eyebrows with a hearty commitment to donate 100 percent of operating profits to local environment protection and social improvements.

The upscale resort, complete with an infinity pool, spa, and organic gardens and bar, was designed exclusively for Cacao Resorts by former film art director Antonio Calvo (think “Pride & Prejudice” and “Love Actually”) and will be developed using sustainable construction, ethical management practices and ecologically responsible operations. At the end of the day, 100 percent renewable energy and operating profits will be funneled back into the local community.

Want a piece of the “guilt-free” pie? Interested buyers can purchase residences–and live in or rent them–by visiting The Cacao Pearl.

God forbid we get some exercise.  Stay on your computer just long enough to click the ‘buy’ button on one of these recycled plastic frisbees and then head outside.

The Re-Flyer disc (above left – $10) from Patagonia is made from 60% post-consumer recycled plastic. The Groovy EcoSaucer (above right – $10.50) is made from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs.  

If you’re looking to add some nighttime atmosphere to your patio, walkway or deck, you might consider a couple of these striking dragonfly solar accent lights.  Each wireless solar luminary comes with two rechargeable batteries and will look a lot classier than that 2000 watt bug-zapper you’ve been using to help guests find their drinks at your Saturday night weenie roasts.

Fully charged, the light will stay on for 10 or 12 hours.

A set of 2 will run you $39.99 (lists for $79.99) @ solarlightstore.com

• You might want to start turning those lights off now…Study: U.S. Needs 45 More Nuclear Reactors by 2030 – reuters
• Six rare albino monkeys died from the emissions produced…just kidding.  Ohio Family Visits 52 Zoos in 52 Weeks – myway
• New Yeasts Could Fast-Track Biofuel Production – sciencedaily
• Keep planting…Trees Are ‘Crucial Famine Food’ – bbc
• At least it’s not a Prius…New York Coppers Go Green – cnet
• I just thought you’d like to know…Cheerleading Found to Cause Most Serious Sports Injuries – yahoo! news
• 7 High Tech Products and Their Cheap Ass Ingredients – cracked.com

As a lover of handbags, shoes, and the environment, I can appreciate designers who make an effort to reduce waste by recycling clothes.  Both pre-consumer textile waste (by-product materials from the textile, fiber and cotton industries) and post-consumer textile waste (garments or household articles that are typically disposed of into the trash and end up in municipal landfills).

Mandinka ecofashions men’s suit coats into attractive and useful, upcycled handbags. With popular, one-of-a-kind (more…)

Are the kids zapping your home office productivity?  Is your commute killing both you and the environment?  This small office concept from U.K.-based, OfficePod, is a one-room workspace that is designed to be placed in your backyard, garden or patio.

The Pod was created to create a physical boundary between home and work without the commute.  This garden office, which is designed strictly for work, is secure, eco friendly and an overall energy saver (air conditioning costs, commute, etc.).

find out more @ officepod.co.uk

more prefabs and small homes on altcon

Last week, we were abuzz about Nissan’s newest: a 100 percent electric, zero-emission car that until this Saturday, had been kept tightly under wraps. Today, we can tell you that the compact cruiser is a five-passenger hatchback pod, designed from the headlights to the tail pipe (or lack thereof) with Earth in mind.

One example: take a look at the long LED headlamps (which use roughly 10 percent that of a traditional headlamp), crafted to slice and redirect airflow away from door mirrors when driving, cutting down on both drag and wind noise.

Available in the U.S. in 2010, the lithium-ion powered LEAF will travel 100 miles on a full charge and reach speeds up to 90 mph, making it a practical choice for urban types. With a “quick charger,” it can reach 80 percent power capacity within 30 minutes of plug-in, while charging at home will take a respectable eight hours. While pricing details have yet to be announced, we’re anticipating a cost that hovers near $30,000, falling into Nissan’s touted “affordable” bracket and also competitive with the much-hyped Chevy Volt, also slated for a 2010 debut.

For all the details, visit the new Leaf microsite, featuring a quick ping question-and-answer feature powered by Twitter.

And then, take a moment to lean back in your chair and envision your world – minus gas stations. Now that’s a Monday morning pick-me-up.

Today, The Green Children, Whole Foods Markets and its Whole Planet Foundation announced a global campaign to help disadvantaged countries get financial assistance, through music.

The partnership assists disadvantaged countries in advancing financially through microcredit — a lending program designed to promote entrepreneurship and monetary growth.  (more…)

• Dumbass Fox pontificator, Glenn Beck, continues to push for his internment in a state mental institution.  Disclaimer he reads is for dealers, not car buyers…(video) Cash for Clunkers is a Government Scam to Gain Access to Your Computer – YouTube
• Keep em’ comin’…Nissan Rolls Out Electric Car at its New Headquarters – yahoo! news
• When does the Florida report come out? Report: Calif. Should Gird for Heat, Rising Seas – msnbc
• Exfoliation of the wrong kind…‘Feather-Eating Bugs’ Dull Birds – bbc
• This breakthrough may hide your mall parking lot fender benders…Self-Healing Surfaces – sciencedaily
• The price of fame…Mr. Clucky May be Evicted From Owner’s Fla. Condo – myway/ap