There’s no better way to chill out in summer than on a relaxing hammock.  This earth-friendly soft woven olefin (polypropylene) recycled fiber double rope hammock from Bay Hammock Company offers the same wonderful durability found in polyester.  The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, wood spreader bars at both the top and bottom are finished with organic flax seed oil.  Custom lengths available at no extra charge.

Supports up to a hefty 350 lbs. @ harmonyhammocks.com

As some of you already know, I’ve been a shoe freak for just about my entire life.  Now that I follow a more eco friendly path, my eyes gravitate exclusively toward stylish footwear that’s manufactured in a manner that’s environmentally and socially responsible.

In view today are Flippees — eco-certified flip flops made of Nubuck from simple shoes.  We’ve been fans of simple shoes’ sustainable approach to making footwear since they first dipped their big Green Toe in the water.  They’ve made great strides over the years, (pardon the pun) and here’s how (more…)

No, this isn’t George Clinton’s weekend home.  Green architect and off-grid design expert Michael Reynolds and his Taos, New Mexico based architectural firm, Earthship Biotecture, have been thinking outside the box for 40 years or so.

Their Earthship design incorporates recycled tires for wall construction and insulation; rammed earth for heat and cooling effects; wind + solar energy; recycled, found and indigenous materials; greywater systems; a greenhouse and a rainwater capture system.

Features: uses rainwater/snow melt 4 times, eliminates utility bills with solar and wind energy systems, sewage runs through indoor and outdoor treatment cells and is reused in food production etc., construction insures comfortable living temperatures in any climate without wires or pipes.

Plans include designs for one, two and three bedroom Earthships.  Come to think of it, this might be just far enough off-grid for George Clinton.

Related: previously on altCon,

Green Building (entire category)

(2007/04/17) green-home-building-part-one/

(2007/01/27) rammed earth – natural building

For vagabond urban gardeners and those who like to grow their own – this portable garden design allows you to take your garden with you when your girlfriend finally kicks you out.  BACSAC was created by a trio of Parisians – Godefroy de Virieu, Louis de Fleurieu and Virgile Desurmont.

These container garden bags are suitable for all climates and are made from a 100% RECYCLABLE Geotextile material that’s UV, frost, tear and traction-resistant.  The container’s material is permeable to let soil breathe and drain with limited evaporation while protecting roots.  The light-weight, portable bags enable you take your precious produce from terrace to rooftop, from one address to another, rotating crops year-round.

All square and long BACSACs are based on 12″ squares; web straps and rods keep BACSAC in shape under the weight of the soil — and provide a handy subdivision of growing surface.

in various configurations @ a+r store

Related:  previously on altCon

• grow your own – the ultimate in going local

We may be enjoying fresh Gulf shrimp while watching the pelicans, dolphin and seagulls play in Sarasota’s beautiful Bay right now, but I can’t help feeling sickened by BP’s recent oil disaster.

Whether or not the slick hits “newsworthy” areas of our shoreline, British Petroleum’s 210,000 gallon-per-day oil eruption  — or “underwater volcano” as Florida Governor Charlie Crist calls it — is both a human tragedy and a potential environmental disaster of the greatest proportions.  Eleven lives were lost in the explosions.  The negative impact on the livelihood of fishermen, tourism, home values, quality of human life, as well as marine life, water and birds may be seen for many years to come.  Let’s not bury our heads in the sand — offshore drilling is dangerous, and supporting alternative energy sources, ie wind, solar and other innovative initiatives, is overdue.

Will any lessons be learned?  Come voting time, keep in mind the candidates who will be good stewards of our environment.

more @ npr.org

On the state level in Florida, volunteer opportunities may be found @ volunteerFloridaDisaster.org.

For more info on the oil spill and local, state and federal responses to it, visit:

• www.mote.org
• dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon