These colorful chunks of recycled license plates, called Triple Surf, are mounted on salvaged wood by recycledArtco.  They can make all manner of custom pieces – this one measures 16″ x 17″.

$149 @ recyledart’s etsy shop

That cold north wind blowing down my neck tells me it’s time to start thinking about feeding our fine feathered friends…

Here’s a handsome rustic bird feeder made from weather-resistant recycled cedar boards fastened together with weather resistant screws.  The feeder looks like it will be popular with most seed eating birds and, unlike mass-produced plastic feeders, it will integrate seamlessly into the natural landscape.

This five quart feeder has eight feeding stations.  The top door opens for filling and features a recycled nail.

A mounting bracket is included, which can be screwed onto a deck or horizontal surface – or the pre-drilled feeder can be mounted directly to a post. Dimensions: 25″ (H) X 5 1/2″ (W) X 5 1/2″ (D)

Price: $38.00 @ wastelanddesigns.com

• The tail is definitely wagging this dog…EU Climate Scheme Reels After Weak Climate Deal – reuters
• If this were a crime they would be a ‘person of interest’. China Blasts Claim it ‘Hijacked” Climate Talks – msnbc
• Your pooch may have a carbon footprint as big as an Escalade.  Polluting Pets: The Devastating Impact of Man’s Best Friend – yahoo! news
• I think I’m getting my annual holiday depression…African Leaf-Eating Primates ‘Likely to be Wiped Out’ by Climate Change – sciencedaily
• Philippine Volcano Gets Louder, Could Erupt Soon – myway
• It doesn’t say anything about bloggers…Drivers Who Test are Six Times More Likely to Crash – livescience
• Winter Solstice 2009: Facts on the Shortest Day of the Year – natgeo

Get your boarding Rasta on with these hemp Estilo Quattro skateboard shoes created by boarding great, John Cariel, for Vans.

A question: when is the USA going to legalize, renewable, sustainable industrial hemp?  Probably about the same time Congress finally acknowledges that:  the acidifying  oceans are rising, the ice caps are melting and getting their fat fannies re-elected to serve their favorite special interest groups (insurance companies anyone?) isn’t really in the plant’s best interest.

Oh…these hemp Vans go for $64.99 @ skatesonhaight.com

Tis’ the season to be jolly … in addition to the classic crackling fire, carolers and chestnuts to put you in the holiday spirit, we can’t forget the all important distilled spirits to get your holiday mojo working.

Here are some of our faves to stock that eco bar, or green gift your host or hostess these holidays … (we’ve tried all of them, and reviewed most of them).  To top it off, pickup some fresh organic garnishes at your local farmstand.

• TRU Organic Vodka, or Tru2 Organic Gin,
• Crop Organic Vodka (cucumber, tomato or artisanal)
• Papagayo Organic Spiced Rum, ($25.95)
• Highland Harvest Organic Scotch ($39.95)
• BlueCoat American Dry Gin ($26)
• 4 Copas Organic Tequila
• Modmix organic mixers

The Foodpod from kitchen design firm Fusion Brands is a modern cooking tool designed to save time and water when boiling, blanching or steaming by conveniently containing, removing and draining foods like eggs, veggies, shellfish in one easy-to-use vessel. The silicone container keeps foods together for even cooking, easy removal, and acts as a strainer, reserving the cooking liquid.  Holds up to a dozen large eggs or several heads of broccoli.  Handy built-in grip clip allows for convenient removal from hot water.

Size: 1.75 quart or 1.77 liter capacity
Non-stick silicone protects delicate foods and pot surfaces
Made of FDA/EU food-safe silicone and BPA-free nylon
Flexible to fit in any size pot for cooking and storing
Top rack dishwasher safe

$15 @ aplusrstore.com

Ah the novelty…the other ‘green’ art – saw this interesting use of beer bottles on Recyclart.org.  Are those full bottles or empties…or, who drank all that beer – obviously not the designers who meticulously stacked 1,000 Heineken bottles in Shanghai…

source: chine-informations.com

Is open space always a better use of land than even green development?

In a controversial decision the California Coastal Commission has denied permits to Sand City, a green eco resort project designed to restore habitat on a beachfront blighted by decades of sand mining.   The project exceeds all applicable laws and standards, including the Local Coastal Plan certified by the CCC and the Coastal Act.

The development was appealed to the Coastal Commission by The Sierra Club after Sand City’s approval.  The Superior Court of California in 2008 ordered the Coastal Commission to rehear the project under strict guidelines that would allow the project to move forward.  The beach-front Ecoresort on the Monterey Peninsula has been designed as one of the greenest environmentally sensitive projects in the country.  It has numerous sustainable design features, water savings, gray water recycling, significant renewable energy components, restoration of dunes and habitat, public access, 500 green jobs and 50% reduction in carbon footprint.  The CCC voted on December 11th to deny the project altogether, despite strong environmental and municipal support and a Court Order, seeking instead to effectively set aside the 39 acres site and designate it as open space.

source: prnewswire; rendering: newscom

Looking to shovel your way out today?

Check out the Wovel.

All that’s required is some willpower, muscle and a place to store it while waiting for that next snowstorm.

Because it’s human-powered, naturally, it’s considered an eco-friendly way to clear those driveways and walkways.  (No fuel, fumes or deafening noise) — Time, Business Week, Popular Mechanics and Discovery all love it.

New to this winter’s scene is the folding version, which is definitely the way I’d go.

wheel + shovel = wovel

Take a peek at the video and learn where to buy.

($119) @ wovel.com