Air, Land, and Sea: The Latest and Greatest Solar-Powered Creations
June 16, 2009
The possibilities of solar energy as a clean and sustainable power solution have been explored for decades. Solar panels to power our homes, offices, and factories are nothing new – but in recent years, an array of solar-powered concepts have been introduced. Today, many of those concepts are taking shape to bring us solar-powered boats, airplanes, and even cars that prove that our fascination with the sun’s energy plays a major role in our sustainable future. Check out the latest amazing uses for solar power…
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Great Green Booze: 12 Sustainable Holiday Spirits
December 26, 2008
With everyone else on the planet jumping on the green bandwagon, it was inevitable that the purveyors of our most popular mind-altering substance have jumped on board. We’ll take you on a tour of some of the best…
Ocean Vodka Maui
Guess where this drink comes from? If you’re thinking island breezes and big, big waves… you’d be right. It’s distilled in Hawaii by a couple of surfer dudes who really know their drinks. And when they say ocean, they mean ocean: the water they use is pumped from a pristine sea-bed aquifer that is both contaminant-free, and contains an out-of-the-ordinary natural mineral content. Ocean Vodka is USDA certified organic, from GMO-free organic rye and corn, and run through their cool new four-column distillation process. And we just like the idea of surf vodka.
Rain Vodka
Rain, rain… don’t you dare go away. This precipitate spirit is handmade in small batches at a Buffalo Trace, Colorado distillery. Unusually, it’s made from 100% organic white corn, a cold-water sweet-mash fermentation, and a seven-distillation process. The result: a clean, smooth drink that’s been winning accolades and awards, including gold medals at this year’s World Spirits Championship. They also offer some creatively-flavored vodkas, including Cucumber Lime, Honey Mango Melon, Red Grape Hibiscus and Lavender Lemonade.
Benromach Organic Single-Malt Scotch
Whisky is tricky – with casking times of 9 years and longer, you have to do a lot of advance planning to get a new product to market. Some companies are in that process, but so far only one Benromach has a widely-available, certified-organic single malt whisky. Even their casks are virgin oak from environmentally managed forests! This is what we call a “young spirit”, and will probably be better as it matures some, but even so it picked up a Supreme Award at the Scottish Food and Drinks Excellence Awards, 2007
Maker’s Mark
There’s more than one way to be planet-friendly. Although they haven’t gone organic (there may not be enough organic grain available to meet their production needs), their Kentucky plant has been fully greened-up with the help of Ecovation
Taking a big step beyond basic recycling and wastewater treatment, they have an on-site anaerobic digestion facility that turns waste into bio-gas, offsetting 30 percent of their natural gas use (you’d think everyone would do this, but you’d be wrong). So now they’re not just one of America’s best bourbons; they’re a leading light in the movement for sustainable distilling.
Death’s Door Gin
The name isn’t exactly auspicious – how often have you woken up after too many gin & tonics to feel like you’re at death’s door? But these folks, from Washington Island, Wisconsin, not only source locally, they name locally, too; Death’s Door is the name of the straight that separates them from the mainland. Apparently, they live sustainablyl at death’s door – with organic Great Lakes wheat and wildcrafted juniper berries right from the island. They make a pretty decent vodka, too.
Peak Organic Eau de Vie
That’s French for “Water of Life”, but at 18% alcohol these beverages aren’t as strong as the similarly named (in different languages) akvavit or whisky. Peak Spirits (which also make organic gin, vodka, and grappa – you can see the full product line in the picture) use locally-grown Colorado peaches, pears, apples and cherries, slowly fermented in chilled stainless tanks. The spirit is distilled in very small batches in a a copper-pot still. All products are 100% USDA-certified organic.
Momokawa Saké
Ah, sake… whether cold or hot, this Japanese rice wine delights the palate and befuddles the senses. Momokawa does their Junmai Ginjo sakés (best served cold) up green, with USDA organic certification – the first and so far only sakés so blessed. Every step is certified, from the rice to the yeast to the milling and brewing equipment. The bottles even include a recycled screwcap and tree-free labeling. The taste is exceptional, as well, smooth and delightful.
Leblon Cachaça
Unless you’ve been living (and drinking) under a rock, you’ve probably had a mojito by now. But you’ve probably never had a caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink, made with cachaça. This stuff – made from fermented sugar cane but lighter and more delicate than rum – is the third most popular drink on the planet, but hasn’t even been available in the U.S. until recently. Now you can get an earth-friendly version, made with organic sugar cane, processed in alembique copper potstills, then finished in XO Cognac Casks.
VeeV
What’s better than organic? Organic + superfood! Acai is an Amazon berry that contains 57% more antioxidants than blueberries and 30 times the heart-healthy anthocyanins of red wine; paired with vitamin C-rich acerola cherries and prickly-pear juice, this is not just a drink, it’s a hangover-prevention treatment in a bottle. Talk about pre-emptive strikes…Try it with tonic and lime, or as a martini or margarita base.
Loft Lemongrass Cello
Limoncello is a popular sweet liquor, but let’s face it, it’s not that different from drinking sugar-laden, artificially-flavored and -colored lemon pudding. Bleh! Go with this healthy, green alternative from LOFT. “LOFT Organic Liqueurs was created by Lisa Averbuch to save people from the synthesized flavor and bright neon color of your average apple martini,” says the website, and they have achieved their goal in spades, becoming the first certified-organic liqueur in the U.S. by eschewing sythetic fertilizers, artificial colorings, or nasty processing with ionizing radiation. They sweeten with organic agave nectar instead of sugar, source from biodynamic farms where possible, and use green packaging. It’s even certified EarthKosher. If you dont feel like lemongrass, try the lavender or the spicy ginger.
Sebor Absinthe
You can’t get much greener than absinthe, and Bohemia-based Sebor’s is the greenest of the bunch, using organic herbs, including the traditional wormwood (artemisia absinthium). And while most modern absinthes use artificial colors to achieve the distinctive green color, Sebor does it old-school, with chlorophyll. The grain alcohol spirit isn’t organic, unfortunately, but the overall experience is pretty much earth-friendly (if not head-friendly – try starting your drinking with a shot of Veev to avoid the traditional absinthe hangover).
Wines
Fine winemaking is basically about figureing out what works, and then doing it over and over again for a couple of centuries. That’s why it takes so long for new wine regions to start producing spectacular wines, and the same thing applies to organics. Even in established vineyards, going organic means change – and it takes a few seasons to figure out which changes work well, and which don’t work well at all.
So while organic wines have gotten – to put it gently – a mediocre reputation, we’re moving out of the experimentation phase and into the perfection phase. There are literally thousands of organic wines on the market now, and many of them are getting very, very good.
Coturri Estate Vineyards 2005 Zinfandel
The Coturri winery has been producing certified organic wines since 1993; their 2005 zinfandel just hit #4 on the Wine Report’s 2009 list of top organic wines, a formidable achievement as this $32 bottle parachuted into a list dominated by $100+ vintages. Grown in very small batches without irrigation, the flavor has been described as “astounding”. “This wine has black fruit in the nose, a very sweet mid-palate and good balancing acidity in the finish.” (Note – within three days of the Wine Report list hitting the news, Coturri sold out of this vintage. Check out their other years, and other wines – everything these guys put out is excellent.)
Frey 2005 Biodynamic® Syrah
Another Northern California offering, Frey Vineyards has a wide selection of organic wines, but this is probably the best, with its big jammy flavors and refined tannins. It was awarded a GOLD MEDAL in the Critics Challenge at the San Diego International Wine Competition, and has a fistful of silver and bronzes from international competitions.
….Is it worth it to go organic?
These drinks will cost you a little more (or a lot!), leading some to question whether organic realy makes a difference when it comes to hard alcohol.
There is one school of thought that says, “Look, the distillation process removes all impurities and leaves nothing but basic spirit; It’ll strip out all pesticides and chemical fertilizers, so way pay more?”
Anyone who tells you that is neither a drinker nor a chemist, and they probably don’t know much about alcoholic beverages or organic living, either.
In a nutshell:
a) Cheap booze gives you hangovers while premium stuff does not – ever wonder why?;
b) lots of extraneous stuff is carried through the distillation process;
c) producers use the finest ingredients and fine-tune their production facilities because it affects the taste of the end product; and
d) all that aside, organic farming is better for the environment and the planet, regardless.
Sean Evans of the New York Daily News did a scientific experiment, knocking back 11 shots of pure organics one night that left him feeling just peachy the next morning, while a duplicate bender on the non-organic counterparts left him bleary and hung-over. This is not subjective, folks, this is science!
18 Free Green Ebooks Worth Reading
December 7, 2008
Photo by Lori Greig
Whether you like to read, enjoy learning new things, or just need a good resource to make your life a little greener – check out these free eco ebooks and satisfy your literary cravings:
On Transportation
The Green Motoring Guide by Drive offers an in-depth fuel comparison, the scoop on the best green cars available now, and tips to make your drive time more environmentally friendly.
108 Tips to Raise Your Fuel Economy provides a wealth of info that will help you save money and decrease your carbon footprint. The green ebook is free when you subscribe to Wise Bread’s feed.
Gas Saving Devices – Fuel Saver or Consumer Scam is a must-read before you spend money to make your car more efficient. A number of websites sale this ebook for as much as $20, but it’s available free through ebooks Canada. (Warning – link is directly to the pdf file.)
Biodiesel 101 offers all the info you need to brew and use your own biodiesel, specifically in the state of Arizona.
On Global Warming and Climate Change
Global Warming: A Mind Mappers Guide to the Science and Solutions is an easy to read ebook by Jane Genovese, explaining the cause, effect, and solutions of global warming using illustrative mind maps.
The Challenge of Global Warming, written by NASA scientist James Hansen with the help of other contributers in 1989, is now available as a free ebook from Island Press. The book examines scientific proof of climate change and measures that can be taken to reduce the overall global impact.
Gone with the Winds by Jane Air is a unique twist on environmental ebooks. Read all 28 chapters of this romantic, yet satirical, take on global warming from a poetic view.
On Renewable and Alternative Energy
The Solar Energy Guide is an informative ebook from SolReka with everything you need to know about photovoltaic panels and their uses. Again, this link takes you straight to the book.
Biogas Methane Explained by Steve Last is a bit technical but worth the read if you’re interested in learning more about biomass and waste energy.
Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air, by Cambridge physic professor David Mackay, gives knowledgeable insight into the future of sustainable and renewable energy.
Photo by Bob Cox
On Green Living
An Inconvenient Doofus by Steve Lee is a 62-page ebook with images, tips for a greener lifestyle, and plenty of humor. The link above will take you straight to the PDF file or you can get more info here.
Living Green is a collection of 101 tips to improve the environment. This link also takes you straight to the ebook.
The Guide to Greener Electronics is a publication by Greenpeace, updated every 3 months. Take a look at the most recent edition, updated Nov.24, 2008, here in PDF format.
On Sustainable Architecture and Green Building
Green Building 101 is a basic guide to sustainable building and remodeling from the folks at Tree Hugger Consulting in Oregon.
How to Buy a Solar Hot Water Heater by John Van Doren has all the info you need to make an informed purchase of solar hot water heaters. (PDF link)
Photo by Papalars
On Green Business
You Can’t Afford Not to be Green – 51 ways your business can save money and the planet. Read it online.
State of Green Business 2008 provides a summary of the latest advancements in eco-friendly business practices, including telecommuting, energy efficiency, and alternative transportation. This link takes you to the PDF version.
Of course, ebooks are only good for the environment when you print less. The Green PDF is an initiative to reduce greenhouse emissions by urging changes in our printing and reading habits.
If you know of a green ebook worth reading, let us know in the comments!
We get it, green is the new black
September 9, 2008
Saving the environment has never been so cool; fashion designers made “organic, green” grocery bags that will cost you just as much as your monthly food bill would be. Organic fashions are simple, eco friendly, and will make your bank cry. If you’ve went food shopping with only buying organic in mind, you probably were a bit surprised when your bill was double what you normally pay, right?
For the average person, affording these things isn’t realistic. Sure it might be nice to sport the coolest, greenest hybrid car on the market, but the truth is right now they are still pricey, and we still need to be able to get around. I’m going to give you ten ways to green your life, without spending a ton of money
1. Turn off your lights dude. You want to be green, but how many times have you fallen asleep with the TV on? How many nights go by that your computer buzzes away even though no one’s checking their email? Before you leave the house, and before you hit the sack make sure your appliances and lights are OFF. You’ll be saving money on your bill, and preserving some energy.
2. DON’T buy in bulk. Cosco, BJ’s, Sams Club; these chains cater to large families who need 27 invididually wrapped candy bars, not just one. We understand the concept of buying in bulk, but think of all the waste that goes into making these products? If you can, avoid shopping there. If you feel like you can’t live without a thirty pack of chocolate milk, figure out a way to recycle the material.
3. BUY LOCAL! You may think there’s no one selling local produce in your area, but websites like Local Harvest use a search engine to find farmers markets, and farms in your community that are selling the good stuff. Who wouldn’t want to buy CHEAP, fresh organic produce? A tip: hit up the markets towards the ends, and sellers will lower the prices of their good signicantly since they can’t re-sell them. I’ve gotten homemade organic pies, vegges, and fruits all for under ten dollars by going an hour before the vendors closed up!
4. Direct Deposit and Automatic bill pay – does anyone actually pay their bills by mail anymore? If you do, stop. You’ll be saving a ton of trees by paying your bills online; almost every credit card, bank, and store offer free, safe ways to deposit money online and it’s easy as pie.
5. Eat at home, and compost while you’re at it. Eating out (especially at fast food joints) = tons of waste.
6. Get thrifty! You don’t need to buy fancy organic materials to be more “green…” You’d be surprised at how much cool stuff you can find at your local Salvation Army, or even on Craigslist. One mans junk is another mans treasure, and you can find some amazing things to call your own, without breaking a budget.
7. Turn the heat down! Winter’s coming, and we all want to be toasty and warm, but we can acheive this buy throwing on another layer, NOT turning up the heat.
8. Get a water filter: Most of us love a cold bottle of water…but think about the waste! You can have clean, fresh water by getting a filter, and purchasing an eco friendly water bottle to carry arouind.
9. Reusable coffee filters. Have you ever run out of coffee filters and felt like life was over? I have. Purchasing a resuable filter will save you sanity, and help you live a bit more “green…”
10. Nix the paper towells. I’ve got a toddler, two dogs, and two cats so paper towells were always a must in our home, and we’d go through five rolls in a week. When I realized (gulp) how much waste that was I felt a little sick, so now I collect old clothes, dishtowels, etc and use them as washclothes that I can wash when I’m done!
Most of these are probably in your face obvious, but many of us choose not to change. If you can try and green your life in any of these ways, you’re making a small but important step. Being eco-concious isn’t a trend, it’s a way of life. Share with us other ways you “green” yourself!
Top Ten Green Fashion Blogs
August 28, 2008
Last week saw the launch of the very first green fashion magazine called boho. It is printed on 100% recyclable paper with soy-based inks, and unlike other magazines that have a green theme, this one is devoted entirely to fashion. Real fashion–not just hemp and Earth Shoes. We’re talking haute couture here.
For those of us who have an interest in both fashion and ethics, this marks a great milestone in our efforts to green up a notoriously un-conscious industry.
But boho isn’t the only source for green fashion news and information. A handful of dedicated bloggers have made it their mission to publicize the independent, sustainable designers and manufacturers that are making the world a beautiful place, in more ways than one.
Here are the best of the best in the world of Green Fashion Blogging: The Top Ten Green Fashion Blogs!
Victoria Everman is a “creatively versatile eco-powerhouse.” She’s a freelance writer, fashion model, on-camera personality, public speaker, and official U.S. spokesperson for Twice Shy Clothing. She’s got an industry insider’s view of sustainable fashion and beauty!
2. Eco-Chick
Starre Vartan has been writing Eco-Chick since 2005. This month sees the release of her new book, The Eco Chick Guide to Life: How to Be Fabulously Green. She and her team of editors cover the green movement from the female perspective, focusing on young, urban, and hip women with a passion for green.
3. Green Girls Global / Green Guys Global
A blog based in the UK and contributed to by style-loving ladies around the globe (hence the name), this blog has one of the most extensive ranges of topics I’ve seen. It’s is always fresh, with plenty of up-to-the-minute news about the world of green fashion.
4. Green Cotton
Written by Shana Yansen, the founder of Jute & Jackfruit, a new sustainable clothing company. Yansen not only writes about fashion, but has great insights on the manufacturing process for organic clothing.
Vintage, recycled and second-hand clothing are a huge part of the sustainable style movement. DCGFB documents the pursuit of high fashion that has been derived from the mother of all second hand stores: The Goodwill!
“A style blog for the eco snob,” brings fashion and sustainability together through interviews with designers and retailers, coverage of current events, and plenty of humor.
Focuses on recycled, reused, second-hand, vintage, and re-purposed fashion. The author also writes about general ‘green’ topics and her pursuit of an organic lifestyle.
This site focuses mainly on the manufacturing and processing of organic fabrics, and it is a veritable goldmine of information for anyone who is really interested in educating themselves about the industry.
A huge collection of features about and interviews with sustainable designers; along with coverage of green fashion news, current events, and shopping!
10. Eco Fabulous
A comprehensive look at the world of eco style, including regular posts on women’s fashion, shoes, accessories and handbags.
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