• Obama’s Climate-Change Hopes Get a Boost – reuters
• Sshhhh….Noise Pollution Threatens Animals – bbc
• It’s really about smart marketing…Ireland to Ban Genetically Modified Crops – enn
• Jatropha farms struggle amidst drought…Kenya’s Biofuel Plan Hits Snag - npr
• I’ve never seen the words ‘new’ and ‘Republican Party’ in the same sentence…New Republican Party Site Crashes Hours After Launch – cs monitor
• Tell me about ‘peak oil’ again…Another Century of Oil? Getting More From Current Reserves – scientific american
• Comfort Food: Chocolate, Water Reduce Pain Response to Heat – sciencedaily
• It’s just the weather…right Senator Inhofe? Alarming Melt of Indian Kashmir Glaciers – msnbc
• Does a horse qualify as a designated driver? Cowboy Cited After Horse Wanders Away From Bar – myway

I don’t know if I could pull off this look, but these KOMODO Free Tibet vegan sneaks do make quite the bold political statement.

KOMODO is a UK-based eco fashion forward company that has been around for twenty years, no easy feat.  Their footwear is manufactured in Bali and Kathmandu, and the company has been involved with the plight of the Tibetans for many years, so when asked to participate in the Free Tibet Campaign, they gladly decided to design a range of shoes to support the campaign. Twenty percent of every sale of these shoes will go directly to the FREE TIBET CAMPAIGN.
(£39.95) @ the natural shoe store

Visit Komodo.co.uk to learn more about Joe Komodo, and his company’s ethical, socially driven efforts.

As part of LG’s “Life’s Good when it’s Green” initiative, which first launched back in January this year, the company recently unveiled a solar-powered touchscreen phone called LG GD510, or better known as LG Pop.

The new smartphone can be powered for 2 minutes and 15 seconds of talk time (or 180 minutes of standby time) for every 10 minutes under the sun.  A lifesaver if you’re running low on power and don’t have a charger on hand.  Built-in software even let’s users monitor the amount of CO2 emissions they’ve cut with the use of the solar battery. (more…)

It’s impressive that way back in 1921 Weleda’s founders met with Rudolf Steiner, a pioneer in biodynamic farming, and together, essentially planted the seeds for what they are today — an organic, holistic-based, international skin care company.  Over the years, Weleda has an established tradition of working in harmony with nature to create some of the most pure and natural personal care products available anywhere.

A few weeks ago, Weleda asked if I’d like to try their new Pomegranate Regenerating Body Care; I was all for it.
As you may already know, pomegranate is an antioxidant, dermatologically tested and proven to increase skin smoothness, moisture levels and accelerate skin renewal.  I’ve enjoyed using this exciting new line for the past couple of weeks.  The products pack a lot of punch, penetrating and energizing the skin without (more…)

We’re just trying to have some fun here…

• You’ve been working for ten long years to complete a 30′ tall sculpture of Queen Elizabeth out of 20,000 recycled Ballantine Ale cans and your kidneys are about shot.
• Putting your Hummer in neutral going down hills has saved you only .008 gallons of black gold per mile.
• You tried a pair of hemp sandals but found them largely un-combustible and difficult to fit into any of your old hash pipes.
• Your neighbor’s wind farm is blocking your view of the local oil refinery.
• They have yet to make an authentic Ben Roethlisberger jersey out of organic cotton.
• The Wave Power installation in your Koi pond won’t power your 3,000 cubic foot hot tub.
• Scientists have failed at all attempts to make a 100% organic version of Velveeta.
• Hamburger Helper’s new ‘All Vegan Simulated-Sirloin Helper’ just doesn’t get the job done for you.
• That ‘Soy Hold’ hair gel you bought makes you look like Marie Osmond on a bad-hair day.
• You were recently mauled by a horde of carpenter ants after a failed attempt to talk them out of your house.

Related: previously on altCon – 10 reasons to go green

While pregnant with her soon to be first child, Kimi Chapman also gave birth to somebubby.com.  Desiring to create something unique and chic for her newborn, Kimi refashioned her husband’s old neckties into mini bow and neck ties and attached them to onesies…baby ties.  Word spread and Kimi’s venture blossomed into a new business. (Onesies offered are either conventional or 100 percent organic cotton, at slightly different pricepoints.)

(photo credit:  top, Sarah Merian, The Baby Show NYC 2009)

• Looks like everyone is going vegan…Veggie Spider Shuns Meat (video) – bbc
• Putting his money where his ‘political’ mouth is…Soros Aims to Invest $1 Bln in Green Tech – reuters
• UK ‘Step Change’ in Policies to Meet Climate Change Targets – bbc
• Where does your trash go? As Economy Grows, So Does China’s Trash – msnbc
• A fresh look at the differing views on climate change. What Happened to Global Warming? – bbc
• I don’t think people get biodiversity…World Will Miss 2010 Target to Stop Biodiversity Loss – sciencedaily
• G.E. fought this for years…Phase 1 of PCB Removal on Hudson Wrapping Up – yahoo! news

Teach kids about ecosystems, food chains, astronomy, and circuits with Ampersand Press board games and rubber stamps.

Take, for example, Onto the Desert, which comes with:  an illustrated deck of cards, a habitat poster, fact sheets, and instructions for seven different games – for 2-6 players, ages 8+, (price $15.95).

Or try Oh Wilderness, a trivia game for children and adults with both simple and challenging questions, ($10.95).

Find other food chain and trivia games, and more @ www.ampersandpress.com

It’s tough finding listenable alternative music and even tougher to find a decent music video.  Here’s one of our favorite bands, Fujiya & Miyagi, and their funky low-fi video for their tune – “Knickerbocker” – we think it’s a tasty combo.