• I think that luger just put a chunk of my old iPod around his neck…Olympic Medals Made From E-Waste – livescience
• Save the world, or, Make more money in the ‘private’ sector? Always a tough call…U.N. Climate Chief to Quit in July – washington post
• Whalers, Activists Clash Again in Antarctic Waters – yahoo! news
• You can huff and puff, but it ain’t gonna change the facts of climate change…Projection Shows Water Woes Likely Based on Warmer Temps – sciencedaily
• Too little, too late? Crews Scour Chicago Area for Asian Carp – msnbc
• Can’t we all just get along? Cat Adopts Baby Squirrel – ananova
• video – New Laser Zaps Mosquitos in Slow-Motion – natgeo

The lawnmower, or automobile of the near future may be a much leaner, greener machine.  Florida-based Cyclone Power is developing new engine technology that can run on a myriad of fuel sources, ranging from eco-friendly biofuels to existing gasoline and diesel, or a combo of both.  Though the company has just signed a design deal with Raytheon to develop military and industrial applications of the engine, primary applications of Cyclone’s engine tech may be around the yard and on the highway where traditional gasoline-powered engines burn non-sustainable fossil fuels, spew copious amounts of pollutants, spill oil and make a ton of noise.

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Just goes to show that almost anything can be transformed into a DIY clock.   Rescue something funky from your local thrift shop, do a little surgery and – “voila!” – a  kitschy little clock is born.

8″ high and $35 @ imotime’s etsy shop

Eco fashion collections for 2010 autumn/winter continued to wow at day two of The GreenShows in NYC.

A quick recap of the day, beginning with JoAnn Berman’s Thunderbird Collection:

• Rockin steady and putting a fresh spin on things is Brooklyn, NY’s own, JoAnn Berman, a pioneer in eco conscious design, cutting and stitching in a mindful manner for the past 28 years — continuing to innovate and amaze with total funk hipness.  (above - photo credit:  Nina Berman)

• (Above – photo credit:  Joshua Katcher of the theDiscerningBrute.com) Chicago-based, model turned designer Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart’s Vaute Couture hit the green catwalk with a vegan vengeance.  The big news is her intro of the first vegan eco-conscious insulated coat — made of Primaloft ECO and hand quilted locally.  Also unforgettable, her vegan accessories — vegan leather belts from Ultrasuede EcoDesign 100 percent recycled and recyclable, all made in my hometown, NYC; vegan leather gloves made from recycled fibers and knits made of the waste from soy bean farming, then handknit in our fair city.
• Sonja den Elzen’s Thieves showcased a collection of both men’s and women’s wear, themed: “Urban Nomad protected against the elements.”  Check out our video.

With a fresh blanket of snow outside my perch, visions of a clean burning fire come to mind.   I’d like to share some design news and a deal of a slightly different sort.

Contemporary firemaker, EcoSmart Fire, can now take the chill out of the air — whether inside or outside your home.  They currently apply their no-chimney-required, ethanol-powered technology to a sleek range of outdoor fireplaces that are portable.  Totally hot.

With ease and flexibility, add warmth and ambient light to your alfresco scene — poolside, patio, deck, garden or terrace.

Here’s the Deal — As of a year ago today, amendments to the Internal Revenue Code will provide Tax Credits for purchases of Non-business Energy Property – so essentially the IRS now offers qualified consumers a tax credit of up to $1500 or 30% of the purchase price of any EcoSmart Fire product.  (Naturally, you may want to consult your tax advisor for details specifically relating to your individual circumstances.)

These stools are made from reclaimed remnants of the old growth pine forests that once covered the Northeastern US.  Many of the old growth trees could be hundreds of years old.  Their salvaged, richly grained remains were once used as beams, joists and support columns in many of the older buildings around NYC.

These handmade reminders of the ancient forest clear-cut to build America are created in custom sizes and finishes in Uhuru’s Brooklyn facility.

Our friends at Florida-based, Dandelion, supplied us with a complimentary tote for the purposes of this product review.  I’m happy to report that the organic bag was smartly packaged in eco friendly materials.  As usual, I’ll reuse the shipping materials to mail things to friends.

As we know, babies require not only a lot of love but also a lot of gear, and toting that gear around can get unwieldy. Add to that tot’s pile of essentials all of mom or dad’s gear, and it’s easy to get discombobulated.  These over the shoulder bags are designed to keep everybody’s gear organized while you’re on the go — whether running errands, touring, playing at the beach or hanging in the park.

There are plenty of inside and outside pockets to tuck away bottles, cell phones, wallet; and a clip to dangle your keys if that’s how you roll.  I like how roomy, well made and (more…)

• A radioactive olive branch…Obama Unveils Plan to Build Nuclear Plant – reuters
• ‘Climategate’ Scientist Speaks Out – scientific american
• For centuries we have been trained otherwise…Americans Favor Conservation – But Few Practice It – science daily
• Can you spell counterintuitive? Get This: Warming Planet Can Mean More Snow – npr
• Yummy! Space Rock Contains Organic Molecular Feast – bbc
• Don’t we all…Bees Get Buzz From Caffeine and Nicotine – livescience
• Decline in Fog Threatens California’s Redwoods – enn

At NYC’s The GreenShows yesterday, Maureen shot runway footage of Toronto-based, Sonja den Elzen’s Thieves autumn/winter 2010 men’s and women’s eco-conscious collections.  Described as “Urban Nomad protected against the elements,” it’s a perfect theme for our current weather conditions.  With layers of steely grays and deep dark blacks, citified folks trudging across the harsh landscape will feel right at home wrapped in these sustainably stylish threads…video: