Sundance promotes eco-friendliness February 4, 2008
Posted by raffiki07 in Energy, Lifestyle, Pollution.Tags: Fields of Fuel, Flow-For Love of Water, Sundance
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Reduce, Reuse, and Renew- this was the mantra Sundance promoted at this years film festival. Sundance, the spot Al Gore chose to premiere his movie “An Inconvenient Truth,” has been dedicated to promoting energy conservation for decades, and did not slow down this year. Celebs received goody bags loaded with trendy eco-friendly fashion, such as shoes made out of tires, earrings made from bottle tops, and a skateboard made from bamboo. Also, Sundance premiered several eco-conscious movies this year, such as “Flow-For Love of Water,” and “Fields of Fuel.” Looks like I’ll be hittin’ up blockbuster for some eco-friendly films!
Point of No Return February 1, 2008
Posted by raffiki07 in Energy, Lifestyle.add a comment
In October of last year, the UN sent out a warning to the people. There are limited resources on earth: a finite amount of trees, animals, and soil for food. Yet the population continues to grow… and grow… and grow–up 34% to 6.7 billion in the past 20 years alone. A study showed that each human requires 3 times more land than the earth can supply. What’s going to happen when we run out of resources? This is a question we don’t want to answer, because there aren’t too many options, except to move to the moon (yea, right). Isn’t it easier just to reduce energy consumption? You’re right, the moon thing is waaaay more practical…
Beckham’s Feet Stink! January 9, 2008
Posted by shomriel in Energy, Lifestyle, Pollution.Tags: carbon footprint, Carbon Trust, cars, David Beckham, Radiohead, soccer
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David Beckham uses his feet for good, or, at least, for the world’s entertainment. His footprint, however, is another matter. Carbon Trust has calculated that, for the second year in a row, due to his 15 gas-guzzling cars and near-constant time spent in the air to and from soccer matches and other glorious celeb commitments (over 250,000 miles just last year!), Becks has the biggest carbon footprint in the world. Perhaps he would do well to learn from Radiohead and start using his own head a bit more.
Ethanol, worth the hype? January 6, 2008
Posted by beanstockd in Energy, Pollution.1 comment so far
Ethanol is all the rage these days, but does it live up to its expectations?
Made from corn or sugar cane (mmm…sugar), ethanol is used as an alternative fuel to gasoline, and more than 80% of Brazil’s cars run purely on ethanol. Seems like a sweet deal since ethanol’s a clean-burning, renewable fuel.
However, there are some downsides. The nitrogen-based fertilizer used to nourish the corn and sugar crops often trickles into major water sources, polluting the water and killing the fish and other sea life living in what is now known as the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Ethanol also contains less energy than gasoline, is way more expensive, and still causes damage to the environment.
So what’s so good about Ethanol? It’s not gasoline. Other than that, we’re not sure the pros outweigh the cons. RS
Fat as Fuel: Bloody Brilliant January 4, 2008
Posted by shomriel in Energy, Pollution.Tags: biodiesel, carbon footprints, Earthrace, LED lights, liposuction, sustainability
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I have heard recently of using leftover grease from meals as fuel, but I hadn’t extended my thinking to human fat. Apparently some people have. The eco-boat Earthrace is embarking around the world on March 1, using low-emissions engines, LEDs, non-toxic hull paint, and biodiesel as fuel, in order to bring about environmental awareness and the sustainable use of resources, and, hopefully, a blow to the oil industry. Earthrace’s skipper, Pete Bethune, along with a couple of other volunteers, donated their liposucked fat to contribute to the biodiesel fuel supply. I’d say this could be filed under the category of “thinking outside the box.”
Radiohead: True Givers December 28, 2007
Posted by shomriel in Energy, Lifestyle, Pollution.Tags: Best Foot Forward, car-pooling, carbon footprints, In Rainbows, Radiohead, Thom Yorke
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In addition to giving their latest album, “In Rainbows,” away for however much the individual sees fit to pay, the members of Radiohead are trying to be conscientious in other ways. They paired with a sustainability consultancy known as Best Foot Forward to find out how much of a negative impact their concerts have on the environment and how to cut down on their carbon output. They suggest that their devoted fans carpool, fly less, and take buses when possible. For their part, they’re going to try to fly less themselves, sea-freight their gear, and play shows in centralized locations where fans can avail themselves of public transportation. Good looking out, guys!
Meat IS Murder…of our planet December 19, 2007
Posted by shomriel in Energy, Lifestyle, Uncategorized.Tags: Gidon Eshel, global warming, Morrissey, Pamela Martin, vegetarianism
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Some pretty recent findings have discovered that eating meat may affect more than just the consumer and the animals–it may affect the entire planet. Gidon Eshel and Pamela Martin, assistant professors of geophysics at the University of Chicago, have found that the energy used throughout the cycle of raising animals and turning them into food is, not surprisingly, significantly more than that used for a vegetarian diet. Just one more reason to side with Morrissey on this one.
….and a Happy LED Year! December 17, 2007
Posted by shomriel in Energy.Tags: carbon emissions, LEDs
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LEDs (light-emitting diodes, for those of you not yet in the know…read: myself until today) are all the rage this year. Christmas lights (such as those on the Rockefeller Center Tree and on our lovely Capitol’s tree), stop lights, street lights, and bridge lights are all being replaced with LEDs. They save a whopping amount of energy, last longer than regular lightbulbs, and reduce carbon emissions. Here’s to a very Merry Christmas!
Brad Pitt goes green December 13, 2007
Posted by beanstockd in Energy.Tags: Brad Pitt, Global Green, New Orleans
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Not only is Brad Pitt a talented actor and a good father (oh yeah, and quite attractive), but he’s environmentally and socially conscious as well.
The perfect man is partnering with the non-profit international organization Global Green to launch a design competition for a 12-unit apartment complex. This housing will be affordable and environmentally-friendly, cutting energy costs (fluorescent lighting, fans to cool air) and using healthier building materials.
Pitt has promised to contribute $5M of his own dough to rebuilding homes in New Orleans. In an interview this past July, Pitt acknowledges, “I’ve really had a fortunate life. And it’s time for me to share that a bit.” Nice.
NYU Leads the Renewable Energy Purchasing Pack and gets kudos from the EPA for it November 27, 2007
Posted by beanstockd in Energy.add a comment
NYU was recognized by the EPA on October 22nd as a leader in Green Power purchases, meaning that NYU pimped out its campus with power from environmentally friendly renewable energy sources like solar, biomass and wind power.
