Wouldn’t it be great to have access to locally grown, organic lettuce in your market all the time – no matter where you live? And I mean, really local … grown, say, right in or near your urban center, without the use of arable land — and without the need to ship lettuce from California to the east coast — saving natural resources, shipping, time … while providing fresh organic lettuce on a steady basis.

Matt Liotta, founder of Atlanta-based start-up, PodPonics, aims to offer the ability to grow organic hydroponic lettuce locally in specially outfitted recycled shipping containers.

These computer-controlled environmental systems have a bunch of great features: (more…)

At first glance, the exterior of Blu’s new Lofthouse appears to be a simple box, but that’s just what they were after when they designed this new eco-friendly prefab. According to Maura McCarthy, Blu Homes’ co-founder and VP, sales and marketing, “The charming exterior of the traditional version of the Lofthouse is reminiscent of a New England barn-style home, complete with Colonial-style windows and shutters. The more modern version does away with shutters and expands the windows to provide an uninterrupted view and a true indoor/outdoor living experience.”

But it’s what’s inside that may impress the most: (more…)

We originally wrote about this electric luxury car back in 2009 when Cadillac unveiled the initial design of the Converj Concept coupe. Cadillac has just announced that they will be putting the extended-range, electric luxury coupe into production and re-named it the Cadillac ELR.

Production development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced later.

The Cadillac ELR will feature an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit, (more…)

This is a special deal you won’t want to miss: beginning today, shop Gaiam’s fall fashion collection and you can receive FREE shipping and FREE returns, just enter code FABFALL at check-out; offer ends 8/21. Choose from eco chic sweaters, scarves, wraps and lightweight jackets to leggings, boots, bags and fair trade baubles – some items already at reduced prices, too. Promise – all will be shipped to your door by Labor Day…a hassle-free way to transition that wardrobe to cooler weather.

Related: previously on altCon – more eco fashion

We just received this cool news about the Top Greenest Schools in the nation, from our friends at the Sierra Club – here it is, verbatim:

For the fifth year in a row, Sierra magazine, the official magazine of the Sierra Club, sifted through information from U.S. universities to rank their greenness and determine the schools, programs, students, professors and courses showing a true commitment to immersive learning, greening their campuses and practices environmental responsibility. (more…)

Here’s an authentically rustic chicken coop for aspiring backyard farmers who like their eggs fresh and their chickens happy. The Modern Coop is made from nicely weathered, reclaimed cedar and features such amenities as its own exterior water supply, pellet feeder, expandable chicken run and roosting box with access door for egg harvesting. (more…)

• Not good PR…Shell Struggles to Cap Second North Sea Oil Leak – msnbc
  
• Yikes! A vortex of swarming bugs… Sex-Crazed Insects Whip Up ‘Bugnadoes’ in Iowa – livescience
• Does planting a flag on the ocean’s floor really constitute ownership? If so, I may try it…Russia Pushes to Claim Arctic As Its Own – npr
• It’s happened elsewhere…Climate Change Could Drive Native Fish Out of Wisconsin Waters – sciencedaily
• Any fool with a gun is automatically at the top of the food chain…Swedish Wolves Threatened by Under-Reported Poaching – bbc
• A rare and unfortunate tragedy…Seychelles Shark Attack Kills Honeymooner – huffpost green

Green Clean: The Environmentally Sound Guide to Cleaning Your Home by Linda Mason Hunter and Mikki Halpin

I picked up a copy of this book at my local library; it’s a great first step in learning how to green your cleaning routine. Intended for both those who may still use some traditional cleaning supplies but need a few green tips, as well as those who already buy green cleaning supplies, but desire to go a little deeper.

Green Clean gently guides you to think outside the box of cleaning products you probably grew up with. The first section explains how our homes have become so chemical-laden. Then it goes through item by item, and details the health risks of each of product found in the average household.

Be prepared to throw out the large majority of what’s under your sink the day you read this book. But don’t just (more…)

‘Cute’ doesn’t begin to describe these eco baby booties. Constructed of unbleached organic cotton material, the shoes feature reclaimed corduroy soles.

They’re stitched with organic cotton thread and have new elastic around the ankle. To top it off, they’re hand painted with non-toxic, water-based, pigment ink from original artwork by Boston area artist Miranda Greenhalgh. (more…)