June 1st, Toyota put out at press release about a voluntary safety recall for their 2001-2003 model Prius. Do not be fooled by the use of the word voluntary. Though it lacks a sense of urgency and almost sounds optional, this is not the case. It means that the regulatory agency overseeing the product, in this case the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has made a deal with the manufacturer to get a dangerous and defective product out of the marketplace.

The recall on these three years of the Prius is due to a defect in the nuts on the pinion shaft of the steering gear box (see photo at right). Repeated and strong turning of the steering wheel in these models can cause the nuts to come loose. If you have noticed increased difficulty making a left turn it is likely that you are already having a problem. (more…)

San Francisco-based, SunReports, a leading maker of residential solar energy monitoring for both solar PV and solar hot water systems, has announced a new tool for solar system owners. Consumers and businesses can now share their system performance data with friends on Facebook. This marks the first time a monitoring company has provided the ability for their customers to publicly display and share system performance within the popular social network.
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These handmade and hand printed designer napkins are the creation of Jason and Cara Hibbs and their Oh, Little Rabbit line of authentically crafted goods.

A set of 4 stylish, reusable nappies goes for a mere $22 @ oh, little rabbit’s supermarket web store. They have a bunch of other nifty styles too. They’d make nice housewarming or hostess gifts when you try freeloading at friends’ this summer…

Since our cell phones have become part of the foundation of our daily lives, wouldn’t it make sense that they help us be better environmentalists? Well for iPhone users, there are a few Green Apps that are ready to make your life a little more earth-friendly … here are are a few that we especially like:

Green Genie
If you’ve ever wished you could do more for Mother Earth than recycling or taking your own bags to the grocery store, the Green Genie app will be your best friend. Green Genie provides hundreds of ideas and projects that a person can do to be more eco-friendly. Whether it’s cutting out one business trip a year or driving more energy efficient vehicle routes, this handy app will keep a running tally of how much money you’re saving. (more…)

On the prowl to update your summer wardrobe?  Here are some items from environmentally conscious companies that will upgrade both your style – and “eco” quotients:

Ipath ‘Mantis’ Shoes ($59.95)

Ipath makes great strides to reduce their environmental impact. They use water-based glues to minimize the impact on the Earth’s waterways. All their shoe-boxes are created from post-consumer paper to avoid using our valuable forests. This shoe from Ipath, the ‘Mantis,’ is made from hemp and synthetic material. Walk in sustainable style. (more…)

• Check out that unique spoonbill…(photo above) Bid to Save Sandpiper at Risk of Extinction in Russia – bbc
• It seems a little crazy that they could face shortages…A Golden Age for Brazil Ethanol? Not Quite – reuters
• The wolf has already lost this battle once…Man vs Wolf – or Man With Wolf? – cs monitor
• European E. coli Outbreak Blamed on German Veggie Sprouts – my way
• Perhaps we need to place more value on sleep. Think Twice Before Reaching for a Caffeine Boost – npr
• Americans still toss about 40% of our food in the garbage…Global Food Shortage Becomes Urgent as Planet Warms – livescience

If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, you don’t have to go far. Many consumers don’t realize how much energy is lost due to holding onto old refrigerators or running your dishwasher half – full. Thankfully, our friends at yourhome.ca have given us 10 Steps to an Eco-friendly Kitchen. Here are a few highlights:

Dish it Up
Save energy and run your dishwasher only when it’s completely full. Make sure you use the right detergent. Look for plant-based detergents and avoid synthetic products. (We love GrabGreen‘s dishwasher detergent.)

Nuke ‘Em
Using sponges to wash dishes and countertops is fine, but you must make sure to keep those sponges clean. You can kill bacteria by placing sponges in the microwave for about 90 seconds.

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Soaking up the rays may now yield more benefits than creating a George Hamilton-like complexion. New York designer Andrew Schneider has created a bikini that can charge many of your small devices via solar energy – the bikini is covered in photovoltaic solar cells. Each suit, which takes about 80 hours for the designer to construct, sports USB connectors for charging your iPod, MP3 player or similar gadget, whilst your lounging in the sun. (more…)

Innovations in rubber recycling have allowed RubberRecycle to provide a safe, effective, eco-friendly alternative to your everyday bark or gravel mulch. RubberRecycle’s rubber mulch is made from 100% scrap tires. (more…)