A green stimulus package of a different sort – our latest roundup up of earth-minded news & upcoming special events.

• October marks National Energy Awareness Month – there’s still time – find available tax rebates and incentives by state, county and city governments @ DSIREUSA.org.
• Got that eagle eye? Visit audubon.net and check out Birding the Net – now through November 7, for your chance to win a voyage to the Galapagos Islands.
• New consumer report exposes Bear Naked and other big cereal brands for unethical “natural” claims … before reaching for that next box of cereal, compare “natural vs. organic” claims via the Cereals Scorecard – Cornucopia Institute.
• Think you’ve got an award-winning Halloween costume? Enter Inhabitat’s DIY contest for your chance to win $200 bucks.
• Just for fun – enter our latest Great Green Giveaway sponsored by Fair Trade USA for your chance to win a $50 Goody Bag of organic and Fair Trade made goods.
• Geothermal Energy Expo 2011 takes place October 23-26 in San Diego. Expo floor is sold out, $50 registration fee per day.
• American Wind Energy Association releases Third Quarter Report and the news is positive – wind energy is driving down consumer electric rates…but will it last? Federal Production Tax Credit expected to expire at the end of 2012.
• Just ’cause we love Napa and indie films: November 9-13 is the inaugural Napa Valley Film Fest. Use Code FESTPASS for $125 savings; or PASSPLUS for $95 savings.
• Adrian Grenier and Peter Glatzer of SHFT to accept Eco-Maverick Award at Opportunity Green 2011 (Nov 10-11) in L.A. Get 30% off with code OGL30 via online registration.
• Register before October 31st and save 50% on fees – Miami Green Expo & Conference, January 26 & 27, 2012.
• Check out Toxic Free Talk Radio, hosted by Debra Lynn Dadd, author of Toxic Free with guest Steve Skurnac, President of Sims Recycling Solutions, the world’s largest electronics recycler. They discuss e-waste and safe ways to dispose of electronic scrap.
• Get Ready to…Recycle – November 15, 2011 is America Recycles Day; see how you can get involved and remember to reduce, reuse and recycle – in that order.

So simple, so primitive and just different enough. Jewelry designer Sarah Kelley makes these stylishly simple rings from 100% recycled sterling silver wire. The wire is wrapped around itself and hammered, then filed and tumbled to take off any sharp edges. Also available as a 3-ring Twist Stack set $40.

single ring only $17 @ the beaded lily’s etsy shop

Water is becoming one of the world’s most precious commodities, particularly in arid, developing nations. Designer Gabrielle Diamanti has created a prototype for a solar still that could help people with access to salt water convert it into up to 5 litres of fresh water per day.

Diamanti calls her device “Eliodomestico”. Salt water is poured into the top chamber of the device and heated into steam by the sun – removing the salt. The resulting steam is then forced down through an expansion nozzle to condense as fresh water in the lower basin.

The simple still is constructed of cheap, readily available raw materials; operates off-grid – with no electricity; and is low maintenance.

Eliodomestico was a finalist at the 2011 Prix Emile Hermes competition. It is an ‘open’ design and intended to be shared.

via: notcot.org