• The space program chooses its next ride…NASA Picks Deep-Space Astronaut Ship – bbc news
• It’s imperative that we make the investment…U.S. Smart Grid to Cost Billions, Save Trillions – reuters
• Is there a connection between violent weather and climate change… Violent Storms Kill 13 in Okla., Kan., Ark. – yahoo! news
• If you want to help tornado victims you can donate to the American Red Cross
• Things are heating up…In the Last Decade Two Greenland Glaciers Lose Enough Ice to Fill Lake Erie – sciencedaily
• Surprising Find: Live Bacteria Help Create Rain, Snow and Hail – livescience

The merging of art, craft and recycling – designer and artist Derrick Method creates unique ‘bookwork’ furniture from unlikely raw materials – reclaimed and discarded library books.

Like many of Method’s pieces, the chandelier (pictured above), and the Shaker end table (below), feature outdated and discontinued law journals from the Butler University library located in his hometown, Indianapolis. (more…)

Renewable energy and smart grid technology will undoubtedly play dominant roles in future energy production. In an effort to uncover innovative energy solutions and new approaches, global technology giant Siemens has provided the public with an opportunity to present their best ideas. Proposals can cover any topic or aspect of energy use and management, including: creation, distribution, transmission, storage or utilization. (more…)

My recent cross-country drive from Philadelphia to Colorado made one issue painfully clear – gas prices are on the rise today in America. Nationwide, the average gallon of regular gas today stands at $3.88, and rises to $4.27 in Chicago. These escalating gas prices are encouraging citizens of the United States to invest in eco-friendly vehicles.  Here’s a list of the Top 5 Fuel Efficient Vehicles (non-electric) currently on the market as rated by the U.S. Department of Energy: (more…)

UPDATE: Our two lucky winners Fiona G & Paula M have been notified and we’re awaiting their reply before making it official so please stand by; (original post follows)…

We’re excited to offer this exclusive giveaway of handmade Eco Japanese jewelry by indie artist, Hila Binyamin. 2 Winners will each get their choice of style: either a pair of beautiful gold-plated fan earrings or pearl stud earrings in silver.

Prizes retail value $36 or $40, respectively. Prize includes free shipping to anywhere in the USA and Canada.

After living in Japan for four years, Israeli-based Hila, (at right), tells us, “In my work I often use recycled materials and leftovers that I love to collect. My special techniques give freshness to the old materials and an innovative look to the traditional ideas.” For more about her work and bio, link here.

Entering this giveaway is easy:

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When we need an emotional boost, sometimes a little retail therapy can do just the trick. Thrift shops and swaps are the first place to look and then hit the bargain bins. Look for an item you can use – in a happy color – pink, coral, raspberry, cherry –  the red or orange color palettes are fresh and upbeat. As long as it’s a good buy and something you really need – no harm done.

These 5 easy pieces are all on sale right now – see below for links (more…)

• At Least 89 Dead After Tornado Hits Joplin, Missouri – cnn
• Trouble started a lot further north…Cajuns to Blame for Flood Misery? Not so Fast – msnbc
• UK – The Wetter the better for Daddy Longlegs – and Birds – science daily
• It’s a jungle out there…Tables Turn as Beetles Kill Toads + Frogs – livescience
• Consumers shouldn’t be left holding the bag. And what about those big oil subsidies? Will DC Raise Taxes on Renewables? – natgeo blog
• Business…GT Solar Could be Next Solar Takeover Target – reuters

Anyone who’s had to move a book collection at some point in their life will most likely appreciate this Dolly Bookshelf by StudioDZ. Quirky yet entirely practical, the portable bookshelf (there’s only one available), comes with a serious price tag ($850 + $175 to deliver). There’s probably a DIY way to replicate – crafter types, get crackin’.

Toys “R” Us announced plans last week to build the largest solar roof in North America. The solar roof will be located at a distribution center in Flanders, New Jersey. This solar power installation will cover 70% of the distribution center’s 1,281,000-square-foot roof and will consist of more than 37,000 ultra lightweight photovoltaic solar panels. Upon completion, the on-site solar mechanism is estimated to generate 72% of the electrical needs for the Toys “R”Us facility.

Depending on weather conditions, the system is expected to produce 6,362,000-kilowatt hours of electricity per year. Generating the same amount of electricity using non-renewable sources would result in the release of 4,387 metric tons of carbon dioxide. (more…)