The Low Down On Green Living
August 28th, 2009
Not-So-Dirty Dirt Bikes
Stumble it!
I was always fascinated by dirt bikes when I was young - I was one of the many kids whose parents wouldn’t let me get one, so I jealously watched my neighbors scoot up and down the street and through the nearby pasture on their little Kawasaki. My Schwinn Stingray was nowhere near as cool. My parents’ job would have been much tougher if those kids had been able to get their hands on a Zero Motorcycle, though!
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Popularity: 4% [?]
August 27th, 2009
Digital Music and Book Downloads Good For The Planet?
We love our Kindle, and for many reasons. No more newspaper deliveries at 5AM or cold walks outside to pick them up. I can bring 15 books on vacation without slipping a disc. And my bedside table no longer looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But a recent study seems to confirm another reason why I love the Kindle (and I’m sure why I’d love Sony’s equivalent): it’s lighter on the environment than our tried-and-true paper books, newspapers and magazines.
The Cleantech Group, in a report published a couple weeks back, quantified the carbon and tree protection benefits of using a Kindle vs. having books shipped to you (or, even worse, driving to the store and buying one), and came up with some pretty staggering numbers: an average e-Book reduces physical book purchases by about 23 books a year, with carbon dioxide savings of about 370 pounds per year (via Earth2Tech.com). If you combine that per-unit number with sales projections for e-Books over the next few years, the Cleantech Group estimates that e-Books could cut carbon dioxide emissions by 500,000 tons in 2010 and 3.1 million tons by 2012.
Why such large numbers? Think about the path a book takes from the forest to your home:
- Trees are cut, transported and processed into paper;
- Paper is shipped to book printers/publishers, often across the globe;
- Books are shipped to retailers via a multi-tier distribution system;
- You then either purchase a book in a store (and drive to get there), or have a book shipped to you.
The savings above DO take into account the carbon costs of producing an e-Book reader. According to Earth2Tech, the carbon dioxide emissions that come from making and transporting a Kindle are around 370 pounds, meaning that you begin saving carbon dioxide once you’ve used your Kindle for a year (assuming you read 23 books - read more, and you begin saving sooner). And, if you read newspapers or magazines on your Kindle, the savings are even greater given the short lifespan and high weight of your typical periodical.
Similar logic applies to downloading music electronically, so you can also feel good about grooving to your favorite tunes on an iPhone as well. Read more about that in this article from Earth2Tech.
+ via Earth2Tech
Popularity: 4% [?]
August 24th, 2009
Net Zero Home in Chicago Boasts Graywater System
A new home in Chicago is touting itself is a model for green homes in the area and boasts graywater recycling, rainwater collection, solar passive design and an impressive solar system. The beautiful residence in the Ravenwood area is slated to be the first LEED Platinum home in Chicago, and it’s no surprise really considering the home is also net zero. Read on for more details about this stunning home and all the green design elements that are included.
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Popularity: 5% [?]
August 17th, 2009
Zero Energy Home in San Francisco
Homes of the future will go beyond including green design elements, low VOC paints, and solar systems. Homes of the future will be carbon neutral, generate all their own power, some of their own food and have integrated systems to increase energy efficiency, reduce water consumption and minimize waste. Plans for the first Zero Energy House in San Francisco are underway, and this house will be a model of efficiency and green design to other homes in the area. Not only is the Zero Energy House by LSarc carbon neutral, but it includes a solar system on the roof and many integrated systems to make for one very sustainable house.
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Popularity: 7% [?]
August 12th, 2009
Green Your Blue Jeans
Blue jeans are classic, and a staple in almost every American’s wardrobe. They’re comfortable, versatile, durable and they look great too. There are jeans for every shape and size and if you ever find a pair of jeans that fit you perfectly - buy them. That is, as long as they’re organic cotton or vintage. And when you’ve worn out the knees or moved on to a better fit, make use of your old jeans by recycling them. Why this emphasis on eco jeans?
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Popularity: 8% [?]
