While you may not have noticed, there’s a shift occurring in the consumer mindset at gas stations nationwide.

Mercedes-Benz noticed. That’s why they’re offering–again–a diesel engine in the upscale S-Class sedan for 2011. The automaker had halted diesel engine options for U.S. consumers with the end of the 1995 S-Class model year, reserving the higher-efficiency (and higher cost) diesels for our European counterparts. Shame, shame. Not on Mercedes, but on the slow uptake of Americans.

The new S350 sedan will feature a 3.5-liter BlueTec V6 engine with fuel economy ratings of 28-29 mpg highway. Car shoppers who dig M-B’s diesel power can also check out the M-Class and GL-Class SUVs. (Or, you could pick up a mild hybrid S400 too.) While you’ll deal with a slightly higher per-gallon cost of diesel (since 2004 the price has generally been higher than that of gasoline), you’ll reap increased mileage minus the nasty perception thanks to newer, ultra-low-sulfur diesel. It’s worth noting that the federal excise tax on diesel is only 6 cents, versus 24.4 cents per gallon on gasoline.

• CNN is the place to go for updates on this disaster…With New Containment Cap in Place, BP Waits to See if it Works – cnn
• The hole is weirdly cylindrical…Pictures: Giant Sinkhole Pierces Guatemala – natgeo
• Is this called ‘disposable income’?…PayPal Millionaire’s Rocket Making First Test Flight – myway
• At some point the oil companies and speculators will use this to raise prices…Feds Deny Drilling Freeze in Shallow Gulf Water – wash. post/msnbc
• Now I can sleep at night…James Cameron Calls BP a Bunch of ‘Morons’ – ecorazzi
• I wonder if they rate homes for ambiance? How Cockroaches ‘Talk’ About Food – bbc
• Crap…Gulf Oil Spill Could Spread to Atlantic Ocean – livescience
• Get out there…Study: Spending Time in Nature Makes People Feel More Alive – sciencedaily

Gas-powered lawnmowers may still pack a more powerful grass chomping punch than their electric brethren but they also spew a tremendous amount of air pollution (an estimated 5% of the US total) noise and toxic gas and oil into your yard.  If your yard is more standard issue than backcountry rough-and-tumble you may find a rechargeable, cordless electric mower like the recently redesigned 2010 Black & Decker 19-inch, 36 volt CM1936 can readily get the job done – cleanly and quietly.

This mower features a grass catcher, an easily removable and rechargeable battery, a foldable design for upright storage, one-touch adjustable blade height and it’s designed to tackle a typical 1/3 acre yard on a single charge.  The battery takes about 12 hours to fully charge.

Though there are a lot of small companies making electric mowers it’s probably prudent to choose an established, world-renowned manufacturer like Black & Decker when making this kind of investment (comes with a 2 year warranty).  Another little note: though the mower is marketed as “zero emissions” the power plant that generates your electricity may not be – though in any case this is a much more earth-friendly product than a gas-powered mower.  One hour of gas-powered mowing is estimated to produce the equivalent emissions of driving 350 miles – ouch!

$395.54 @ amazon with free standard shipping.

Related: previously on altCon
take a peek at our Gardening Category

I usually favor more old-school, vintage style bike baskets but this sleek number has a cool attribute – it pops-up.  Comes in handy when storing.  Designed to stash your purse, tote or any small bag; mount on either front or rear of bicycle. $75 (white, black or green).

There’s a larger pop-up that’s intended as an at-home utility basket or decorative container. Durable yet flexible, it stretches to suit your needs.  $65 (white, red or aqua).  Made in the USA of locally sourced materials – recycled content; recyclable; environmentally conscious finish.  It’s summer – let’s get out of those cars and onto those bikes…Shipping begins June 15 @ mioculture.com

Related:  previously on altCon (1.14.09)
folding bike – TX Commuter from SwissBike

Envirocycle has updated the design of their popular compact composter.  The 17 gallon rotating model now comes pre-assembled in an earthy, light brown color.  The size makes it ideal for patio’s, balconies or terraces.  The base collects composted liquid – which Envirocycle calls “compostea”.  As with the previous model – Envirocycle maximizes the use of recycled materials, in both the product, and its packaging.  Maybe it’s time to start making your own compost and growing those veggies and herbs.

$130.88 @ envirocycle.com

Related:  previously on altCon
take a peek at our Gardening Category

It’s been a long and curvy journey for artist, Mark Khaisman.  He was born in Kiev, and studied art and architecture in Moscow – only to wind up in Philadelphia.  I don’t know if his Tapeworks collection, featuring portraits and images created with packing tape on back-lit acrylic panels qualifies as eco-friendly art – but I do know it’s alternative.  I believe that’s one of my favorite bad guys, Richard Widmark, above.

My affinity for artists who work with everyday and found materials dates by to my college days where my roommate KLOB worked with burlap, tin foil and twine.  Very tasty.  By the way, that’s Curly of the Three Stooges (just above, left).

via: uproxx.com

Related:  previously on altCon
take a peek at our Art Category

Catch the green buzz from here, there and everywhere.

• Toxic America Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s 2-part special, tonight and tomorrow  — Toxic Towns and Toxic Childhoods — dangerous chemicals in our environment – (8p EST) on CNN.
• Now through November 10, 2010 NYC’s Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology – Eco-Fashion: Going Green.  Museum Hours:  Tu-Fri 12n-8p; Sat 10a-5p; closed Sunday, Monday and legal holidays.  FREE.
• From city slickers to upstate NY farmers, meet Josh and Brent as they reach greener pastures – premiers June 16, 9p (EST) The Fabulous Beekman Boys on Discovery’s Planet Green.
• Calling all cars…Today Ford announced that it’s partnering with Coulomb Technologies to provide nearly 5000 free in-home charging stations for some of the automaker’s first electric vehicle customers.  Residents in 9 designated markets could receive a free ChargePoint America Charging Station with the purchase of a Ford Transit Connect Electric vehicle.  Austin, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Sacramento and the San Jose/San Francisco Bay Area, Redmond, WA and Washington, D.C. are the designated markets. The Ford Blue Oval ChargePoint Program is part of Coulomb Technologies’ $37 million ChargePoint America charging station infrastructure project made possible by a $15 million grant funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the Department of Energy. (phew) That’s a mouthful, but it also sounds like a step in the right direction.

• One of the first pop music artists to step up to the plate and donate toward the debacle in our Gulf of Mexico is singer-songwriter and Grammy nominee, Sophie B. Hawkins.  She will be donating 100% of the net proceeds from her new single “The Land, the Sea and the Sky” to benefit  waterkeeper Alliance.  More from the press release:  “Sophie wrote the new single “The Land, the Sea and the Sky” about the human need to connect with nature and when she saw the disaster unfolding in the Gulf immediately knew that she wanted to try help with the clean up. The song will be available exclusively for download on Sophie B. Hawkins website sophiebhawkins.com and on iTUNES.  It will be available for $1.29 and all net proceeds will benefit the Waterkeeper Alliance’s work in the Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about clean up efforts, visit www.saveourgulf.org.”

Designer Edgar Blazona and his company, Modular Dwellings, created this little prefab home for those with simple needs and a taste for clean, no-baloney design.  This tiny 208 square foot structure packs a bedroom, living space, full kitchen and separate bath – under a space-enhancing, 9-foot ceiling.  The whole deal fits on one truck and can be delivered with ease.

If you’re a clutter junkie this little guest house or backyard office probably isn’t for you – no room here for two cars, 3 kids, a dog, 4 pet turtles and a 4,000 piece Hummel figurine collection – for those trying to downsize, commute to work on a bike, consume less or build an inexpensive guest house, this just might be your eco-friendly solution.

Related:  previously on altCon

take a peek at our Prefab Category

The Gulf Oil Spill has been utterly depressing to read and follow up on every morning as BP’s plans continue not to work.  Some of the first and most visible victims of the seeping oil include the oil-coated birds who are in dire need of help.

While “tough on grease” dish-washing liquid is commonly used by animal rescue teams to gently remove the grease and oil from feathers, fur, and skin of oil-covered animals, what most of us don’t know is that the cleaning process can take up to 2 hours to completely clean just one bird from an oily start to a dry, clean finish.  This time consuming process also puts a lot of stress on the animals.  But there is a  “bird washing machine” now available that can clean an oil-soaked bird in just 7 minutes.  It sort of looks like a mini clothes washing machine. This approach would obviously decreases the amount of stress a bird may have to endure during the cleaning process, and increase the number of cleaned birds that are released more quickly back into the wild. It’s also less toxic for the person actually cleaning the birds. Check out the below:

The question is — will we actually see the implementation of this bird washing machine at the gulf oil spill site?

Related:  previously on altCon

(5.8.10) Gulf Oil Spill Threat Looms Large
(5.10.10) Gulf Oil Spill Spell End of Big Oil’s Reign?
(5.11.10) Gulf of Mexico Oil Disaster