USBCELL AA Rechargeable Batteries are like other rechargeable batteries in the sense that you can use them hundreds of times; however, these batteries can be recharged using the USB port of your computer. There is no need for a separate charger, and they are easy to use. Just pop off the cap and plug them in to your computer. Over 15 billion batteries are discarded each year. Don't toss 'em, recharge 'em!
The compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) has become the poster child for the green movement, specifically the small steps individuals can do to lessen their carbon footprint. One Billion Bulbs is trying to mobilize people around the world to replace one billion incandescents with CFLs (of course, some of you may be forced to by law). "It would make a difference to the environment - preventing greenhouse gases equivalent to the annual emissions of millions of cars." By signing up at One Billion Bulbs and tracking your light bulb changes, you can quickly see how this small step really does have an impact! "Your grand kids will thank you for it."
Did you know that CFLs contain small amounts of mercury and should not be thrown into your household garbage can? CFLs have to be disposed of at hazardous waste material sites; however, the amount of mercury in a CFL is still significantly lesser than the pollution caused by the power plants needed to power your old incandescents. To put it into perspective, the Green Guide states:
The amount of mercury in CFLs is relatively small, approximately 5 milligrams (mg), which is roughly equivalent to the mercury in two cans of albacore tuna. Older mercury-based thermometers contained about 500 mg...Depending on where you live (and the mixture of your local energy supplier), you could be releasing as much as 18 mg of mercury into the atmosphere to operate one incandescent bulb over its lifespan. A CFL, on the other hand, produces an estimated 4 mg over its lifespan as a result of burning coal (9 mg total when added to the 5 mg that exist in the bulb). If one billion incandescent light bulbs were replaced with CFLs, we could prevent 100 million grams of mercury emissions.
Eco TV Uses the Same Amount of Power as an Incandescent Light Bulb
I live off-the-grid, where every watt of power usage counts. For months, I have used this excuse to prevent my husband from buying a flat panel TV. Starting in March, I won't be able to use this reason, as Phillips introduces the Eco TV.
The Eco TV has several features that reduce its power consumption to about 75 watts; that's about as much power as an incandescent light bulb and 30 watts less than other 42-inch LCD TVs. One such feature is the ability to dim the back light during dark scenes or in a dark room. There is also a power saving mode that limits peak light output. All of these features can be controlled by the user. Furthermore, when the Eco TV is on standby power (when you think it is turned off), the phantom power draw is 0.15 watt, among the lowest in the industry. The Eco TV is a 42-inch, 1080p resolution, flat-panel LCD, model that will sell for about $1,399.
The Eco TV comes in a box made from recycled materials. In addition, it is made from lead-free materials and contains only traces of mercury. Despite all the great power saving features of the Eco TV, I still think I need to wait until our current television dies before we make the jump to a LCD flat panel.
Monitor Your Power Usage with Kill-a-Watt Electricity Monitor
We're always wondering how much juice all those gadgets we have in the house are eathing up. With the Kill-A-Watt electricity usage monitor we can finally find out. Connect your appliances into the Kill A Watt, and assess how efficient they are. A large LCD display counts consumption by the Kilowatt-hour just like utility companies. You can figure out your electrical expenses by the hour, day, week, month, even an entire year.
BBC News is reporting that a French company has developed a pollution-free car which runs on compressed air. That's right - you could fill your car up at the same place you fill the air in your tires! Well - maybe not entirely on the same thing. The air car, also known as the Mini-CAT or City Cat, can be refueled in minutes from an air compressor at specially equipped gas stations and can go 200 km on a 1.5 euro fill-up -- roughly 125 miles for $3. The top speed will be almost 70 mph and the cost of the vehicle as low as $7000.
Here's something everyone needs: an emergency shake-and-go LED Flashlight. Shake it for 60 seconds and you get 30 minutes of bright white light from three LED bulbs.
The Princess LED Flashlight is great for camping, power outages, or to keep in your glove compartment. And, with no batteries and LED lightbulbs that last over 100,000 hours, it's good for the environment as well. Plus, it's waterproof (just in case).
Buy two or more and get 5% off each of them on Amazon.
7 Tips to Reduce Carbon Footprint: Grist Founder on Today
And speaking of Grist, founder Chip Giller (a former classmate of mine!) was interviewed on Today earlier this week and offered viewers seven tips to reduce their carbon emissions by 10% in one week. Among the tips:
- Wash your clothes in cold water
- Eat no meat one day a week
- Lower the heat in your house by two degrees
- Unplug appliances when they're not in use.
Chip took some flack on the Grist message boards for focusing on baby steps instead of recommending radical changes to our culture of consumption. Personally, though, I think he'll catch more flies with honey, and that the impact created by these small changes would be pretty significant if they were implemented by a big enough audience.
A belated shout out to former Vice President Al Gore for winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Gore has brought much needed attention to the issue of global warming. We're glad he and, more importantly, the environment are finally getting the attention they deserve.
They're made of safety tested acrylic coated fabrics that are eco-friendly, are machine washable and 100% lead-free. They're also insulated, easy to clean, and resist odors from that healthy lunch you packed (that your kid left under his desk all day).
Mimi the Sardine Lunchbugs lunch bags come in three patterns - chicks, monkeys and kitties. Having trouble deciding which you like best? Pick up one of each and let your kid pick a different one each morning.
Eating Local with a CSA Share from The Food Project
Hooray for June! Time for longer days, warm nights, and -- perhaps best of all -- the start of our CSA share from The Food Project.
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. You buy a "share" of a local farmer's crop at the beginning of the growing season, and all summer you receive "dividends" -- baskets and boxes of fresh summer produce.
Russ and I bought our CSA share from The Food Project, a local nonprofit that employs city and suburban youth working organic farms inside and outside of the city.
In addition to growing veggies for CSA members, The Food Project distributes their organic produce to local soup kitchens and sells it at inner-city farmers markets. Youth who participate in the program learn about the food system, organic and sustainable agriculture, and about access-to-food issues facing inner-city residents.
Last week, our share included enough greens to feed an army -- arugula, mizuma, spinach, lettuce, bok choy, baby field greens, and a handful of radishes and turnips. It provides a great lesson in eating locally (see Omnivore's Dilemma and Animal, Vegetable, Mineral), and a great reminder of how good food tastes when it's fresh from the farm.
Ideal Bite published a newsletter last week dedicated to eco-tourism sites. Among the sites recommended:
* EcoTour Directory - lists over 65 eco-holiday providers.
* G.A.P. Adventures - offers tours for groups of 12 or fewer and encourages carbon offsetting.
* Sierra Club Outings - tour the world with other eco-conscious travelers.
* Sustainable Travel International - a non-profit that helps you book all sorts of eco-adventures, from archaeological digs to yoga tours.
* Relief Riders International - guided horseback rides that let you help the Red Cross and distribute books to kids along the way.
* Responsible Travel - awesome trip packages geared toward folks in the UK.
Earth Day Savings on Amazon: Black & Decker Cordless Lawn Mower
Here's something everyone needs: an emergency shake-and-go ![Chip-on-Today_h240[1].jpg](http://www.reallynatural.com/archives/Chip-on-Today_h240%5B1%5D.jpg)
Hooray for June! Time for longer days, warm nights, and -- perhaps best of all -- the start of our 
Last week, our share included enough greens to feed an army -- arugula, mizuma, spinach, lettuce, bok choy, baby field greens, and a handful of radishes and turnips. It provides a great lesson in eating locally (see 
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