Looking to build or purchase your tropical dream home?  Need to getaway to a luxury vacation rental?  Or simply like to look at places you’ll never be able to afford?  These exotic eco-properties may be just for you.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not really into ‘development’ but I do think these sustainable, “eco-homes” being built in Costa Rica by the green development company Kalia have nice designs and an interesting concept.

Kalia handles everything from land sales to the design and building of vacation homes, rental properties and sustainable communities on the northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

The company strives to seamlessly integrate their homes into the contours of the beautiful Costa Rican landscape.

These homes are situated to maximize the natural cooling effects of cross ventilation.  Other design features: green roofing systems designed to filter CO2 and pollutants while reducing storm water run-off, gray water recycling, solar energy systems and low-impact foundation systems that reduce the need for heavy construction equipment.  Kalia also designs their villages to support local culture and trade with local communities.

• It’s been a long ugly journey…Massachusetts OK’s National Grid to Buy Cape Wind Power – reuters
• They’ve held out this long…Tiny Fla. Island Debates Joining Electric Grid – npr
• Can this plan overcome greed, superstition and stupidity? Summit Agrees on Tiger Recovery Plan – bbc
• Earth’s Largest Lakes Warming, Climate Scientists Find – livescience
• Too much TV? Obesity on the Rise in Animals – msnbc
• Do Wi-Fi Signals Kill Trees? – cs monitor
• I know I feel like I’ve been underwater all this year..(photos) Best Underwater Pictures of 2010 Announced – natgeo

West Coast drivers take note: This week, you can get a sneak peek into the future of eco autos by swinging by the LA Auto Show’s public access days, running until November 28th.

While strolling the floor, you can set your sights upon some of the glossiest new cars to the market, as well as future-forward models that will be popping up in months and years to come. Whether it’s hybrids, EVs or ultra fuel-efficient gasoline-powered pods, you’re sure to find something that you’d love to see behind your garage door.

Kia Optima Hybrid
Joining the ranks of the Kia Optima family is the new sibling – 2011 Optima Hybrid. The sporty sedan will grant users 40 miles per gallon on the expressway thanks to a state-of-the-art lithium polymer battery, developed in partnership with LG Chem. In addition to its everyday good looks, it will undoubtedly come with a family-friendly price too. Who doesn’t love a Kia?

Honda Fit EV
The Honda hatchback that we all know and love (maybe) will soon offer an EV option for greener minded folks. The car, which looks practically identical to the gasoline version, is reported to offer a 100-mile range and will debut in the U.S. in 2012… date to be announced.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Last week, we gave you the lowdown on Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV and its slow ascent to the U.S. market. Now, we can confirm that the EV will officially roll onto American car lots in November 2011 – specifically, onto California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii lots. The car, which will go by “i” in the states, is expected to come with a $30,000 pricetag, nearly $3,000 less than the larger Nissan Leaf.

Nissan Ellure
This concept car was the talk of the show, with its swooping, panoramic hood and low-slung body. While it’s not slated to be in car-buyer hands anytime soon, it’s a nod to the automaker’s plan to continue churning out green wheels that garner just as much hype as this year’s Leaf launch. Inside, it’s as sleek, simple and understated as the exterior, with red accent lighting and eco suede seating.

Infiniti M35h (Hybrid)
The first hybrid sedan from Infiniti, the M35h will be available to drivers in the spring of 2011. The only vehicle to boast 360 horsepower, as well as 30 mpg, the luxe hybrid will feature a bevy of features, including a 7-speed automatic transmission, Active Noise Control, Blind Spot Warning and Forest Air System.

Toyota RAV4 EV
In partnership with Tesla, Toyota took the wraps off of its newest RAV4 crossover, an electric version of the popular hauler that’s slated to come to market in 2012. While the car looks like any ol’ Toyota, it feels like a Tesla…. which is a good thing. As production nears, we’ll keep you up to date on this cool car’s specs.

This guest post was contributed by Melanie Kozlan, Senior Content Director of Four Green Steps.com – a great destination for information on green living, sustainable products, environmental topics and corporate responsibility. The site also provides a unique environmental curriculum for schools worldwide.

For some, going Green means eating Green, but eating Green means different things to different people whether it be eating local, eating more vegetables or just drinking hot water with a lemon. It can be hard to tell which diets are healthy and helpful to the environment and which ones are just fads. Here is a break down of the most popular green diets:

Vegetarian: This diet is probably the most well-known, consisting of all foods except meat. While it may not be as extreme as other Green diets it definitely helps the environment since the meat industry is the largest contributor to climate change. (more…)

It’s beginning to look and feel like that time of year!! The weather’s getting chilly and stores are all decked out with Christmas decorations. It’s my favorite time of year and my bank account’s saddest time of the year…but it’s all worth it!

Honestly, as college students, my friends and I almost always do Secret Santa because, who are we kidding? We’re always on a tight budget! But a tight budget doesn’t always mean less than great gifts for your loved ones! Here are some options for the eco and budget conscious.

Organic or Recycled Yoga Mat Bags starting at $18.99:

@ YogaAccessories.com

Organic Soy Candles to fill the house with Christmas spice!
(It even has MANdles for the men!) starting at $8, totally affordable:

@ EcoCandleCo.com.

Recycled Sari Wraps made into colorful and playful Sari Ribbon Scarf and Mittens for the winter season.
on sale now – $23 for mittens, $29 for scarf:

@ VivaTerra

Tap it and go – Bobble Water Bottles with built in water filters and ergonomic design, from $9-13:

@ Water Bobble.com

And a little something for the foodie – Culinary Herb Garden Growing Kit, at $24.99:

@ Target.

Let me know what you guys are planning on getting your friends and family this Christmas…Happy holidays and happy shopping!

Industrial design fans and cycling enthusiasts can watch time fly with one of these nifty looking clocks. Each clock is made from a unique recycled bike chain ring adorned with a clock face created from reclaimed, or recycled textile. (more…)

Emily Brewster casts her lovely silver jewelry out of recycled sterling silver recovered from shop scraps and other sources.

$30 @  emily’s punkybunny300 etsy shop

Pelcor’s latest pet project is this shiny luxury cork dog collar and leash, which they’re offering to Obama’s Portuguese Water Dog, Bo… let’s see if he bites.

Snazzy and sustainable, our eco dog, Seamus, seems quite intrigued by this matching set and may need to fetch one for himself.

find @ corkdelux.com.

Related:  previously on altCon
(9.28.09) Pelcor – Cork Goes High Fashion

I don’t know about you, but I’m always in search of the perfect trivet – and this time I may have found it.  A of set trivets made out of planet-friendly, renewable cork camouflaged as slices of toast – or a loaf of bread. Genius.

$38 for a half-loaf @ twine