• BP to Try New Fix as Oil Spill Threatens Gulf – msnbc
• Sustainable fashion (see above)…New Bra Grows Your Own Rice – orange.uk
• Not as crazy an idea as it might seem…Nuke the Gulf Oil Gusher, Russians Suggest – livescience
• Germ warfare? Short term this actually helps the Taliban…Fungus Hits Afghan Opium Poppies – bbc
• Good luck…Kerry Unveils Climate Bill – reuters
• Ya think? US Agency Admits Lax Enforcement of Oil Drilling – raw story
  

Curb that car — go all easy rider and start zipping around town on an e-bike (electric bike).

At eco Wheelz some models are now 30% off, receive free shipping, too.  Just in time for summer fun. (pictured above, IZIP Trekking Enlightened for Women.

via:  ecobunga

Expecting a power outage or off-grid camping trip?  Let’s shed some light on the situation – this Oasis rechargeable solar lantern can operate for 12 hours when fully charged and 24 hours in emergency low energy mode – also features automatic solar panel opening and an LED light source that is estimated to last for 10 years under normal use.  Sturdily constructed of stainless steel, the lantern also comes with an AC power adapter and batteries.   via: savvychick

$99.99 @ amazon.com

Too bad we all couldn’t experience the luxury of getting away from it all, comfortably embraced by the branches of trees.  For those lucky enough to afford it, the German design firm, baumraum, creates just such habitats – futuristic treehouses that place their inhabitants in an alternative universe – high above the earth among tree branches, birds and clouds.

The King of the Frogs treehouse, (above and below), is located in a small private garden in Münster.  This sleek space hovers above a flat pool, framed by high bamboo stilts.

The house’s terrace, made of Tatajuba wood, rests on four stork-like stainless-steel stilts – some steps and a small catwalk lead visitors to the cabin.

The curved cabin, perched above the middle of the pool, rests on eight asymmetrical arranged stilts. Large curved glass at the gables and slim windows at the sides lighten the interior and give a bright and transparent look to the cabin.

Comfortable, minimalistic furniture adds character to the interior.

Below - a look at a couple of other projects:

Baumraum has created their unique structures in Germany, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Brazil and the USA.

via: ifitshipitshere.blogspot

• Fingers are very crossed…BP Deploys Second Containment Box – cnn.com
• My cousin is a plumber…10 Animals That Use Tools – livescience
• I’d also like to veto those coal-fired power plants in the Midwest that dump acid rain on the northeast...Climate Bill Would Allow States to Veto Offshore Drilling – msnbc
• I wonder who his PR person is…Jake Gyllenhaal’s Twig and Berry Diet – ecorazzi
• This department trails only the IRS in collecting cash.  The definition of conflict of interest…Oil Spill Shakes Up Minerals Management Service – npr
• Looking for something? X-Ray Discovery Points to Location of Missing Matter in Universe - sciencedaily

A Little Piece of Earth is a short book written by Maria Finn.  As the title of this post indicates, it is a book about how to grow your own food in small spaces.  No space is too small.  As my husband and I have learned as new tillers of the land, 2.5 acres is enough land to feed 100 people and to make a living on.  So there is no reason why people in urban and suburban areas cannot grow enough for 2-4 people in their backyards with a little bit of creativity.  This is what Ms. Finn shares in her book, along with little stories about the people she’s helped with her gardening experience.

From roof tops and window sills to indoor gardening, Maria Finn provides the beginner and veteran gardener plenty of food for thought.

Such as this line, “Edible gardens not only provide food, but also connections – to the earth, to the past, to the culture and to one another.”

And this a funny tip: A raccoon deterrent is an Oreo cookie with a jalapeño pepper inside!  Can you believe that?  She also said that aphids do not like hot peppers, so grow a few extra to keep those bugs at bay.

Another idea was to grow a grapevine privacy wall between you and a nosy neighbor, which seemed not only a neighbor/privacy solution but a way to grow grapes in a small backyard, too.  I also loved her section on children’s gardens, like using the Weeping Plum tree as a reading/tea party nook or the Pink Jasmine Tepee that would be more cost effective than many of the commercial tepees on the toy market and would smell a whole lot prettier too!

This book supplied me with enough intriguing information on multi-tiered worm composters, yummy recipes to try, different kinds of heirloom plants, garden design ideas, precious space saving techniques and even seed saving tips which make me want to study each of these subjects more in-depth.  After all, this little book is more of a quick study/pocket reference book with only 212 pages in its 8”x 5” covers.  I would definitely recommend it to those wanting to use their space more wisely.

(find @ amazon.com)

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