Baldauf Catton von Eckartsberg Architects, or BCV Architects for short, is a design firm that has taken a “new ruralism” approach to sustainability.  The expression “new ruralism” – conceived by Sibella Kraus at the Institute of Urban and Regional Development in Berkeley – is about improving city design by bringing country living back into the city.

By keeping restaurants and markets local to residences and public transit, communities remain closely integrated and become much more self-sustainable. People are inclined to walk more and drive less, yielding less traffic congestion and pollution.  Not to mention, food that is fresher and just simply tastes better.

BCV understands the importance of integrating the metropolis and the farm.  Their reverence for sustainable agriculture is rooted in a deep commitment to the environment (more…)

By now all of you know of my interest in farming, and writing for The Alternate Consumer has been a fun way to expand my knowledge of farm and garden products available to us. The farming possibilities available in urban and suburban settings continue to amaze me — from the fact that people in Chicago (and New York) are allowed to keep chickens — to the urban beekeeper, these urban wannabee farmers are letting nothing stop them from growing their own food. These are the people that inspire my husband and me to do what we can from our suburban locale to fulfill our dream of being farmers.

Natural England, a conservation group in England, has been in the business of conserving bees since Great Britain’s bee population, along with the rest of the worldwide bee population, took a hard hit a couple of years ago. They are currently (more…)

On the 30th Anniversary of “Message in a Bottle,” Sting lends his voice to the Prince of Wales’ SOS to help save the rainforests from total destruction.  Here’s a great way to show that we’re aware, and that we care.

Vital Copenhagen climate change negotiations are coming up in December.  Bonnie Prince Charles, a steady proponent of saving the rainforests, is ramping-up efforts to create a groundswell of support by launching the SOS campaign.  Just sign up at rainforestSOS.org or text SOS and your full name to 60777*

Rainforests are the lungs of our planet — they’re critical to our survival — regulating rainfall, preserving biodiversity and providing plants critical to our well-being, and capturing vast amounts of carbon dioxide.  Prince Charles will be distributing a book which will include both a representation of all those who have signed up during the SOS campaign, as well as rainforest photographs by renowned photographer, Daniel Beltrà.

(source:  press release)

Put away those summer whites – it’s time to start prepping your wardrobe for fall and winter.  This nifty little handbag is handmade from an upcycled wool tweed suit coat, and reasonably priced.

$34 @ onourway’s etsy shop

In northern Michigan, the leaves have begun their transition from mossy greens to rusty shades of copper. You could enjoy the golden hues with a drive through the state’s Upper Peninsula—or you could go retro and hop a ferry to Mackinac Island, where the only “road trip” you’ll enjoy is on a bicycle or behind a horse.

You see, cars were banned on the island in the late 1800s, and today, more than 80 percent of the island is actually a state park. Among limestone caverns, bluffs, and the awe of Arch Rock, consists a small town untouched by time. (more…)

Some of our natural sources of alternative energy, like wind and wave power, just won’t cooperate by producing power when we, or utility companies need it.  One solution – stop wasting energy produced in low demand situations, like nighttime0 – and store the energy for a time when it is most needed (or you can charge more for it).  Beacon Power, a Massachusetts company, is using a $43 million Federal loan guarantee to build a $67 million energy storage facility in Stephentown, NY.

Beacon’s Smart Energy 25 design is centered around a flywheel storage system that works by accelerating a cylindrical assembly called a rotor (flywheel) to a very high speed and maintaining the energy in the system as rotational energy.  The energy is converted back by slowing down the flywheel. The flywheel system itself functions as a kinetic, or mechanical battery, spinning at very high speeds to store energy that is instantly available when needed.  Beacon’s Smart Energy 25 flywheel has a high-performance rotor assembly that is sealed in a vacuum chamber and spins between 8,000 and 16,000 rpm.  At 16,000 rpm the flywheel can store and deliver 25 kWh of extractable energy.

Beacon Power has designed a grid-scale system it calls the “Smart Energy Matrix” which is a multiple integrated system of (10) Smart Energy 25 flywheels interconnected in an array, or matrix, to provide energy storage for certain utility applications. (more…)

We’re delighted to hear that eco home company, Blu Homes just announced it has “acquired the assets of mkDesigns.”

As fans of the beautiful and affordable Glidehouse (above & below), mkLotus and Sunset Breezehouse green prefab homes designed by Michelle Kaufmann, we were not happy campers when we learned a few months ago that after being in business since 2002, her company had “closed shop.” Blu Homes will now make these sleek prefabs available across the U.S.; and Kaufmann will serve as a design consultant to Blu and join its advisory board.

(more…)

More and more urban commuters are considering electric bikes as a cost effective alternative means of transportation.  One stumbling block can be price, with many e-bikes costing over $2,000.  Texas based electric vehicle maker, R Martin, has a new line of bikes that offer a 30 mile range with little or no pedaling for just over $1,000.

The new “R” models – R10, R11, R12, and R13 – use a patented crank style motor that, the company says, is 50% more efficient than previous hub motors.  This makes them a great choice for hill climbing, cruising to the office, school, store or around town – all for pennies a ride.  Just plug in, charge and ride.

source: ereleases.com

• Just when you think you’ve escaped extinction…they pull you back in! Humpbacks May Lose Endangered Status – guardian.co.uk
• But does this actually offset carbon? Carbon Offset Kiosks Help Air Travelers Ditch Guilt – npr
• New prediction by UK scientists…Four Degrees of Warming ‘Likely’ by 2060 – bbc
• Zipcar Parks Its iPhone App – Finally – cs monitor
• Maybe they can help us with the smart grid…Electric Fish Plug In to Communicate – livescience
• No, it’s not that guy from Human Resources…Hairy Gorilla Wants to be Your Facebook Friend – msnbc
• 5 years…East Africa Drought Leaves Millions Hungry – reuters
• Facing the slaughterhouse would get me running, too…Escaped Bull Drags Officers Down NJ Street – aol news