Infographic: "How Cars are Killing Us Around the World"

Image: Infrastructurist Risk assessment is hard. We humans are hard-wired with many cognitive biases that can often distort our perception of reality and make us fear the wrong things. For example, on average, people will be more afraid of something with which they are unfamiliar compared to something that they see every day. Cars fall into the "familiar" category, and to remind us of the risk associated with driving, the nice people are the Infrastructurists made a really cool infographic that shows how cars are killing people around the wo... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: TreeHugger | 12 Mar 2010 | 3:46 pm EST

Hollywood Donates Big to Rescue an Icon, Stars Flaunt Green Fashion at the Oscars, and More

Photo via Sörn @ flickr On Thursday, the Trust for Public Land released a roster of Hollywood A-listers and companies--including Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, the Walt Disney Company, the LucasFilm Foundation, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Steven Spielberg, Warner Bros., Fox, Sony, NBC Universal, and Time Warner--who have collectively donated more than $3 million to save one iconic piece of land: Cahuenga Peak.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: TreeHugger | 12 Mar 2010 | 3:42 pm EST

Nat Geo Wild Channel To Launch March 29th

The National Geographic Channel is getting ready to introduce a new sibling in the United States this March 29th.

Called “Nat Geo Wild”, the new channel has actually been around for three years in foreign markets, having received its start in Hong Kong. Executives stateside now believe it’s ready for American markets — and will compete directly with Discovery’s highly successful Animal Planet network.

AP execs, however, are definitely not sweating over Nat Geo’s new venture, calling Wild “years behind” their network. “Natural history is an important piece of our network, but we also have a richer tapestry of content and a broader mandate to transform our business, as we’ve been doing so dramatically for the last two years,” Marjorie Kaplan, the president and general manager of Animal Planet Media Enterprises, said in an e-mail message to the NY Times.

Rivalry aside, viewers will benefit from the competition with a bevy of new original series from Nat Geo Wild. The network plans on having nine shows ready to go at launch — with thrilling names like “Thunderbeast,” “Expedition Grizzly” and “Predator Battleground.”

For some clips from the new show, check out Wild’s YouTube channel here.

Source: ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip | 12 Mar 2010 | 3:13 pm EST

Red Carpet Green Dress: Catalyst For A Revolution

Suzy Amis Cameron and James Cameron reveal Jillian Granz's winning sustainable dress at Global Green's Pre-Oscar Party. Photo: Cerraeh Laykin I know, the dress looks blue—Avatar blue to be exact. But, it's actually about 85% green. The Red Carpet Green Dress Contest was created by Suzy Amis Cameron, wife of Avatar director James Cameron, to send a message that one can wear green on the red carpet. In addition to designing Oscar-worthy gowns out of sustainable fabrics, the contest also serves as an international fundraiser event for her beloved Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: TreeHugger | 12 Mar 2010 | 2:20 pm EST

Animal Activist Betty White To Host SNL May 8th

After weeks of campaigning, fans of Betty White have finally caught the attention of Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels.

The show announced today that White, 88, will host the legendary television show on Mother’s Day Weekend, May 8th. The hilarity that is sure to ensue may just well live up to the hype. At last count, the Facebook group which started it all — aptly named “Betty White to Host SNL (Please?)!” — has more than 485,000 fans.

Michaels confirmed that they had previously asked White to host in the past, but each time she said no. This time, it appears that the grassroots effort won over everyone. We can hardly wait to see what SNL has in store for one of our favorite animal-loving actresses.

Source: ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip | 12 Mar 2010 | 2:04 pm EST

The Green Quote: Phoenix Suns Amar’e Stoudemire Enjoys Vegan Cleanse

“With my four days off, I’m really taking time off to purify my body, and get my body in top shape for these last 16-17 games. So right now, I’m on a vegan fast.”

- Phoenix Suns player Amar’e Stoudemire discussing his 4-day vegan fast. Are you interested in getting clean and green from the inside out? Check out PCRM’s 21-day Vegan Challenge to learn more about neat ways to adopt Mother Earth’s favorite diet. We’re jazzed as hell to hear that Amar’e is rocking the plant-based diet. Here’s to hoping he lasts longer than 4 days!

Source: ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip | 12 Mar 2010 | 1:46 pm EST

Jonathan Safran Foer Makes Second Appearance On Ellen DeGeneres Show

What’s better than watching Ellen talk about veganism? Watching Ellen AND Jonathan Safran Foer talk about veganism!!! Duh!

Author Jonathan Safran Foer appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show yesterday for the second time to talk about his latest book, Eating Animals, which offers an in depth look at the frightening world of factory farming.

During the interview, Foer says:

“If you were to ask people, ‘Do you think it’s right or wrong to eat animals?’, most people in our world would say, ‘Yes, it’s right.’ If you ask people, ‘Is it right to have a farm system that we know is making our antibiotics less effective?’…nobody wants that. If you say, ‘Is it right to have a farm system that we know, as a rule, is destroying our environment?’…nobody wants that. And nobody, I don’t care how much or how little you care about animals, nobody wants to keep pregnant animals in little cages for the durations of their pregnancies.”

We totally agree! Why is this guy the coolest dude ever!?

Wanna check out the entire interview? Watch the video below and tell us what you think!

Source: ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip | 12 Mar 2010 | 1:30 pm EST

Corey Haim Was Set To Star In “The Vegetarian Hunter”

Before his unfortunate death this week at the age of 38 from what’s now being reported as pulmonary congestion, Corey Haim was in the middle of getting his career back on track.

According to a list by MTV, Haim was involved in more than seven upcoming projects — indicating that he was intent on making a serious comeback. On particular interest to us was one film Corey loved called The Vegetarian Hunter. From MTV:

“We had sent him a script, and he loved it. He wanted to shoot that. We were going to do it in upstate New York,” director/writer/producer Vogel said of a second project he had in the works with Haim. “Basically, it’s about a hunter who goes to New York, falls head-over-heels for a girl he meets who is vegetarian, he becomes vegetarian, and she does good things to animals that backfire. It’s a romantic comedy.”

Sounds cute — and it would have been great to see Haim in it. We’ll miss one of our favorite ’80’s actors. Anyone up for watching License to Drive this weekend?

Source: ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip | 12 Mar 2010 | 12:58 pm EST

Ryan Gosling Urges McDonald’s To Save The Birds!

Ryan Gosling is no vegetarian, but he’s nonetheless severely upset at how McDonald’s continues to use outdated chicken slaughter practices.

The 29-year-old penned a letter on behalf of PETA to McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner. Check it out below:

“Dear Mr. Skinner, I was shocked to learn from my friends at PETA that McDonald’s, a company that claims to be an industry leader in animal welfare, still allows its suppliers to use an outdated chicken slaughter method that results in broken wings and legs and causes birds to be scalded to death in defeathering tanks.

“Many of McDonald’s suppliers in Europe already use a much more humane slaughter method that eliminates the worst cruelty. What’s your excuse?

“Because no federal laws govern the treatment of chickens during slaughter, the responsibility lies in your company’s hands to create and maintain a high standard of animal welfare. I hope you will agree that the time has come for McDonald’s to truly take action to reduce the suffering of chickens killed for its restaurants. I look forward to hearing your decision. Thank you. Sincerely, Ryan Gosling.”

In 2008, Ryan wrote a similar letter to the largest franchisee of KFC’s in Canada asking the company to update to the more humane, modern methods; just days later, the company that coordinates the purchase of chicken for all Canadian KFCs agreed to phase in the purchase of 100 percent of chicken from suppliers that use these methods.

To write the company yourself, contact Jim Skinner, CEO, McDonald’s Corporation, 2111 McDonald’s Dr., Oak Brook, IL 60523.

Source: ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip | 12 Mar 2010 | 12:36 pm EST

Extraordinary Animals in the Womb: Stunning Photos From Nat Geo Film

National Geographic created a stunning documentary a few years back called Extraordinary Animals in the Womb — but this is the first I’ve heard of it.

What really caught my attention are the scenes the filmmakers managed to put together using new advances in scanning and imaging technology. The footage is actually a combination of digital photography, scans, and computer-generated models — but the work is so seamless that it’s very hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t.

“There is no intention to deceive, and we are clear about just how far our cameras can go,” said the show’s producer Peter Chinn. “But the picture we’ve been able to build up goes further than my wildest dreams.”

It’s worth noting that none of the animals — or their embryos — were harmed during the filming. Whatever could not be captured in great detail using scanning cameras was meticulously rendered to represent what a close-up would look like on the inside. Check out some incredible pictures from the doc below:

Source: ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip | 12 Mar 2010 | 12:08 pm EST

Japan Formally Arrests Sea Shepherd’s Pete Bethune

Japan officially went ahead yesterday and charged Ady Gil skipper Pete Bethune for trespassing.

Bethune had been held aboard the whaling vessel Shonan Maru 2 since February 15th, when he boarded using a jetski under the cover of darkness. He was attempting a “citizen’s arrest” of the captain for attempted murder and to serve a claim for $US3 million for the destruction of his powerboat Ady Gil four weeks earlier.

According to reports, the Japanese Coast Guard are also considering additional charges. If convicted of trespass under the Mariner’s Act, he faces a maximum penalty of three years’ prison or a Y=100,000 ($1200) fine.

Captain Paul Watson told The Australian that Bethune’s arrest is only likely to strengthen public support for the Sea Shepherd. “If he is convicted, I’ve got at least a dozen volunteers who’ve been in contact with me in the last few days, say `bring me down there and I’ll jump on their damned boats and they can take me back to join him’.”

“I think what the Japanese have on their hands is a hot potato and they’re going to want to get rid of it, because this is going to make Pete Bethune a national hero in Australia and New Zealand and a hero for conservationists worldwide,” he added.

Watson also mentioned that Bethune is fully prepared to engage the Japanese court system and state his case that what is happening in the Southern Ocean is wrong. “I’m prepared to go all the way, I’m prepared to do whatever time it takes,” said Bethune.

“But I am not, as a New Zealand citizen, prepared to stand here and watch the Japanese rape and destroy the Southern Ocean and not do anything about it.”

via The Australian

Source: ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip | 12 Mar 2010 | 11:19 am EST

Melissa Etheridge And Rob Thomas To Make A Splash At Dow Live Earth “Run for Water”

Ahhhh, fresh clean water. Sometimes, there’s no other beverage that hits the spot quite like chilled H20 and yet the ubiquitous thirst-quencher – which covers 71% of our planet’s surface — is oftentimes elusive to humans. Water.org says that less than 1% of our global water supply is accessible for human consumption, but as we all know, the tasteless and odorless liquid — consisting of a solitary oxygen atom to which two hydrogen atoms are bonded — is absolutely necessary for our basic survival.

The World Water Council cites ever-accelerating urbanization and industrialization as among the major factors contributing to our global water crisis. The resulting stress on what was once thought to be an infinitely replenishing resource is already playing out in the real world, where excessive draws on groundwater supplies have compromised agricultural production and people in third world regions succumb to incessant pollution and water borne illness issues. Overall, approximately one out every eight people (= 884 million) cannot draw on safe water supplies and it is anticipated that in just 10 years, roughly 135 million more people will end up dying if we fail to provide them with sound and safe water services.

The upcoming 24 hour long Dow Live Earth Run for Water event – scheduled to occur in nearly 100 cities across 50 countries on April 18 – is a high profile collaboration between Dow Chemical Company and the various non-profit and strategic partners that comprise Live Earth. The former is one of the top manufacturers of plastics and agricultural chemicals in the world and the latter was organized to “ignite a global movement” aimed at raising awareness about climate change and devising practical methods to help combat it. Wassup with that?

Promoted as the most prominent global water crisis initiative ever to be organized, Run For Water consists of multiple 6 km run/walks as well as live musical performances from multi-platinum three-time GRAMMY Award-winner Rob Thomas and two-time Grammy Award-winner Melissa Etheridge (both appearing at the Los Angeles and Atlanta events) and water education villages to raise awareness and educate attendees. Interesting to note is the fact that the length of the runs are symbolic of the typical distance that people in third world nations have to travel via foot just to access the resource that most of us can drink at whim from our sink.

Even more interesting is how and why Live Earth ever chose to cozy up with the notorious chemical-making-conglomerate in the first place. Dow isn’t exactly the first company that comes to mind when you think to yourself….hmmm, do they have Mother Nature’s back? Ecorazzi readers may recall reading about the many environmental disasters triggered by Dow Chemicals’ products and the fact that in many cases, they’ve been lackadaisical about cleaning up their messes (or simply just flat out resistant to take responsibility for them).

One can only imagine that their deep pockets proved to be too seductive for the Al Gore-Kevin Wall-founded Live Earth, which is often the case when do-gooders with notoriously tight budgets end up cozying up in bed with the enemy — sort of like when Sierra Club agreed to endorse Clorox’s Green Works line of planet friendlier cleaning products in exchange for the sum of $470,000. Companies that have a tendency to wreck our planet for a living seem fond of greenwashing public perception  by allying themselves with organizations that are legitimately trying to do right by Mother Nature — and sadly, it’s the little guys chugging away for the most noble causes that always seem to turn to the dark side in order to keep afloat.

On the positive side of the Dow Live Earth Run For Water event, in addition to performances by Thomas and longtime eco-advocate Etheridge, Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, Jacques Cousteau’s granddaughter Alexandra Cousteau and Grammy Award-winning Beninoise singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo will also be in attendance. Interested parties who set up their own water fundraising page or choose to donate money directly to Global Water Challenge (up through April 8, 2010) will also have the opportunity to win a generous prize package consisting of:

• Free admission to the New York or Los Angeles Dow Live Earth Run For Water event
• Round trip air flight for 2 to either New York or Los Angeles (with carbon offsets purchased on your behalf)
• Ground transportation in either city
• 2 nights hotel accommodations

Winners will be notified on or around April 9, 2010. For more information, take a moment to check out Live Earth’s site and for anyone who simply wants to jump in head first by organizing their own event (if one isn’t already taking place in your neck of the woods), click here. For all others who question why they should bother supporting this Live Earth-Dow Chemical alliance, it may be worth recognizing that rallying around a noble cause — no matter who is at the helm — can oftentimes have a far more beneficial, world-changing effect (as opposed to symbolically sitting out in protestation). If you really want to make a statement, review Dow’s product line and make a conscious effort to channel your consumer dollars toward items that are produced by ethical and eco-minded corporations instead.

Via Live Daily

Source: ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip | 12 Mar 2010 | 10:59 am EST

Memory Marathon is the Start of London Olympics 2012

Images by B. Alter from the film Memory Marathon For all of those suffering Olympic withdrawal (that means most Canadians) we bring you the Memory Marathon. It's part of the cultural offerings of London's upcoming summer Olympics in 2012. It is about the importance of personal memories, in this case those of past Olympics. The artist Simon Pope walked a specially planned 26 mile marathon through the five London boro... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: TreeHugger | 12 Mar 2010 | 5:10 am EST

How Well Do You Really Eat? <br />Take the Conscious Kitchen Challenge!

As a longtime The Daily Green blogger, on the occasion of the publication of my second book, The Conscious Kitchen, I’m using my "Ask An Organic Mom" space for the next 8 weeks – give or take – to invite you to join me on the Conscious Kitchen Challenge.

What does it mean to have a Conscious Kitchen? It's a little different for every person, but at its heart, it means knowing where your food comes from, what it is, and how good it is (or isn't) for you and for the environment. It also encompasses the energy it takes to cook, what you're cooking on and storing food in, and even how you clean up and handle waste.

We all know we need to be eating better foods – local, organic, local and organic, humanely raised meat, wild and well-caught fish, packaged foods containing five pronounceable ingredients or less – but they’re not always so easy to find. Or it’s not always so easy to motivate to find them. Think of this like you think of New Year’s resolutions. Choose your own personal goal – make it attainable for better success – and then together we’ll methodically get you there. Keep in mind that any conscious steps are better than no conscious steps – 10 percent is better than no percent.

Source: thedailygreen.com article feed | 12 Mar 2010 | 1:41 am EST

Auto X Prize Field Narrows in $10 Million Race to Build a Green Super Car

The Auto X stand at the recent Specialty Equipment Market (SEMA) show. (Auto X Prize photo)

The field is narrowing, and three lucky ducks are going to walk away with their share of $10 million. The money will be awarded in September by the Progressive Automotive X Prize, whose winners will be the best at building production-ready cars and trucks capable of the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon.

According to Eric Cahill, senior director of the X Prize Foundation, "We're trying to create and stoke awareness about the new technologies, and helping to familiarize people with them, so they'll be comfortable when they're introduced."

Cahill points out that since there are many different types of cars in the competition -- electrics, biodiesels, E85 ethanol, straight diesel and hydrogen, even a steamer -- it's impossible to measure them with the city and highway mpg ratings we're all familiar with. Instead, X Prize and Consumers Union both advocate what they call MPGe, which uses several factors to arrive at a miles-per-gallon equivalent for alternative technologies.

It gets interesting when you add in plug-in hybrid vehicles, which have both electric and gas modes, yielding dramatically different performance characteristics in each. For instance, Porsche just unveiled a 918 Spyder that can travel 15 miles on a charge (experiencing zero emissions) but then lights up a a humongous 500-horsepower V-8 that's not nearly as green.

"You've hit the nail on the head," Cahill said. "Electrification introduces substantial variability in fuel economy. For some of these cars, it makes a big difference if you're traveling 10 miles or 100 miles, and how fast you're going matters, too." For that reason, Cahill said the X Prize is working on a definition of fuel economy for plug-in hybrids that includes two phases, charge-sustaining (when the gas engine is running) and charge-depleting (when it's off).

"People are used to two mpg figures -- city and highway," Cahill said. "But they don't apply to some of the new vehicles, and part of our job in fostering wider adoption is in helping consumers who are not technically savvy get used to new metrics."

Source: thedailygreen.com article feed | 12 Mar 2010 | 1:41 am EST

“Mister Green” Proposes A Warped World Beyond Global Warming Tipping Point

Highly revered Marvel Comic writing legend Greg Pak — who likely has the type of career that would make legions of geeks break down and weep tears of absolute joy if they could walk just one mile in his footsteps – has garnered equal praise for his collection of screenplays and particularly 2003’s Robot Stories which was featured at the Slamdance Film Festival. The compelling flick consists of four stories, including My Robot Baby, The Robot Fixer, Machine Love and Clay, which surprise, surprise, all revolve around the challenges faced by humans as they attempt to navigate a wild wacky world of androids both at the workplace and in the home. Well, critics are now applauding his latest effort, called Mister Green, the subject of which smacks entirely of Ecorazzi goodness.

Part of Independent Television Service’s Future States, which is “a series of 11 fictional mini-features exploring possible future scenarios through the lens of today’s global realities,” Pak’s self-written and directed 15+ minute tale explores what happens when an unwitting governmental test subject is hurled head first into a very unnerving and highly experimental program designed to put the kibosh on global warming.

Taking place in a future world that none of us hope to ever see in our lifetime, global warming has resulted in Boston winters that are 87 degrees, the entirely submerged status of Venice, Italy and the restoration of Manhattan to its canal-like origins.  Actor Tim Kang, who plays undersecretary for the Department of Global Warming Mason Park, informs everyone attending the Biosphere Climate Change Expo that earth is at a point of no return and that they should all feel personally responsible. With no more budget available to launch aggressive climate initiatives, a frustrated Park ends up falling into the comforting arms of a fellow classmate and scientific colleague, Dr. Gloria Holtzer, portrayed by actress Betty Gilpin. Oh…but there’s just one tid bit of information that he’s not privy to. She’s happens to work for an eco-tech company that has masterminded an evil plan to deal with the far-reaching effects of climate change – and when Park wakes up the next morning, he realizes that he is drawn into an entirely new world that is completely alien to him. One night stands can sometimes be a bitch.

Of his process, Pak says: “In terms of storytelling, my literary and filmmaking heroes are people like Ray Bradbury, Lloyd Alexander, Octavia Butler, Kurt Vonnegut, Akira Kurosawa, Billy Wilder, and Hayao Miyazaki — folks who combine big, big ideas, mind-bending genre hijinks, and a deeply humanistic worldview in which compelling characters grapple with some fundamental human experience and emotional truth. I think I’ve also been compelled by writers and filmmakers who haven’t given in to cynicism and who actually have something to say. I’m in the business of escapist entertainment. But I’d argue that the greatest escapist literature doesn’t just let us avoid our problems; it gives us a safe space to explore new ways to deal with our real world challenges.”

Are you sufficiently intrigued? Mister Green will be premiering at South by Southwest on March 14^th in Austin, Texas, but if you aren’t planning on attending that festival, feel free to check out the flick in its entirety from the comfort of your own computer screen! You can thank us later

Via io9

Source: ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip | 11 Mar 2010 | 7:58 pm EST

Pig Business Exposes the Grisly Inner Workings of the Pork Industry

Image credit: Grist Pig business is not an easy documentary to watch. First of all, the images of the inner workings of pig farms and slaughterhouses can turn the stomach of even the most steadfast meat-eater. Second, and more significantly, the film has not been—and likely never will be—released in the United States. This means that American viewers are relegated to ingesting the film in 10-minute segments via YouTube.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: TreeHugger | 11 Mar 2010 | 4:19 pm EST

Riding in New York with Village Voice Columnist Michael Musto (Video)

"Nobody used to ride a bike in New York, but now it's becoming mainstream" Our friend Clarence at Streetfilms rode around NYC with Village Voice entertainment columnist Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: TreeHugger | 11 Mar 2010 | 3:11 pm EST

Multitasking Must Haves: A Green Guide to the Most Versatile Fashion, Foods, Tools and More

From the hardworking white button down shirt in the closet to a few spare potatoes in the pantry, some things that aren’t necessarily “green” are the greenest of all simply by virtue of how versatile, useful and long-lasting they are. We’ve compiled a list of must-have multitasking basics – from clothes to foods to tools – that get amazing mileage.

VERSATILE FASHION

1. The Little Black Dress

The little eco black dress is the updated version of the ultimate wardrobe staple and statement that is always in style. Opt for a little stretchy (give or take five pounds) with understated lines (your energy should be the wow factor) and the dress you slip on year-round can be dressed up or down with the right accessories. No wonder Audrey’s number from Breakfast at Tiffany fetched more than a million at auction!

2. A Pair of Distressed Jeans

“I would just wear it with a pair of jeans!” salespeople like to say. Denim does double duty from a basic under a cover-that-paunch tunic, tank top or biker jacket to nighttime gallery hopping with a sleek blazer. Distressed can be $200 of intentionally torn or the most broken-in pair in the closet. Slightly skinny or very minimal flair will be the longest lasting pair.

3. White Button Down Shirt

An organic cotton or hemp basic button down for day or night can take you to a business meeting or formal dinner, depending on the other layers you choose (classic navy or black jacket, Michelle Obama cardigan, recycled fur vest). Of course, his big shirt is great to throw on for eating Chinese in bed. Soy sauce stain? No worries. (See natural toothpaste, below).

VERSATILE CLEANING

1. Toothpaste

For a toxin-free smile you brush with an eco alternative, but you also can use toothpaste for a myriad of other minty tasks, like scrubbing the rubber clean on your sneakers, cleaning your keys, brightening jewelry, removing watermarks from furniture and stains from clothing, nixing zits and cleaning your silver.

2. Baby Shampoo

Not just for washing sensitive little heads of hair without dyes and surfactants, organic baby shampoo is great for bathing pets and for hand washing dedicates, such as lingerie or that favorite hand knit sweater.

VERSATILE GRUB

1. Brown Rice

Brown is the new white when it comes to starches. Brown rice is a high fiber, healthy side dish for steamed veggies, an ideal grain for homemade soups, a main dish as a curry, a favorite low impact choice for a detox cleanse, a winner for puddings and a healthy carb for that veggie risotto.

2. A Dozen Lemons

Lemon has the peel, the zeal, the juice and the vits. No wonder it is such a versatile squeeze, from that glass of hot water and juice to cleanse upon waking to the favorite back porch summer tonic. It replaces mayo in salads, enhances protein and offers a natural diuretic boost to water. Lemon brightens cocktails, adds flavor to sauces and is a must in many baked goods. Lemon can also be used for many cleaning tasks. Buy ones that are firm and smooth with no green spots. Stored in the fridge, they can last two to three weeks (room temperature, up to two weeks). Lemon juice can be frozen for six months.

VERSATILE TOOLS

1. A Roll of Painter’s Tape

Painters like this masking tape because it sticks temporarily without damaging surfaces. This also makes it is so useful around the house from hanging memos or light art on your painted walls to sealing those boxes of granola (a clothes pin can also do in a pinch). Tear off a strip to remove lint from your black tee or brown cotton quilt. I have a roll that is used constantly until the very last half inch of tape.

2. A Black Sharpie Pen

Write notes, label everything from clothing to reusable lunch containers and backpacks. Do some art while you are watching Project Runway. Address that folder or box before shipping. Those who want to make their mark boldly are simply lost without it.

VERSATILE STORAGE

1. Accordion Folder

There’s a reason teachers highly recommend these expanding cardboard file folders with sections: They are so great for keeping order, and can be reused for various projects (event planning, recipes, bill filing). They are thin enough to fit into a backpack or satchel and are pretty indestructible. Let’s face it, we haven’t abolished paper just yet, so until we can live without filing, this style is more versatile than most.

2. Armoires

Craigslist usually has mega lists of this venerable classic. The armoire looks good and holds everything, from electronics to clothing, books and photographs. They can travel from room to room, be stripped and repainted and passed down to the next generation of people in need of extra storage.

3. Moleskin notebook

Classics never go out of style, and the strong yet slim and comfortable moleskin works for everything from notes to sketches to to do lists and beyond.

VERSATILE TRAVEL GEAR

1. An Indian Tunic

Tory Burch swears by them because they are so chic and versatile for throwing over leggings or jeans, using as a bathing suit cover up or nightgown, and hanging on an armoire knob to give your room a touch of BoHo flair. Longer lengths (just above the knee) are the best and embroidery is a huge plus.

2. A Fleece Jacket

Day or night, arctic or tropical, day hike or beach stroll; the fleece jacket makes a good basic for covering up. Who needs a robe when you can throw on your fleece? Some of us literally live in our fleece zip-ons, because they’re so inviting. Reversible styles with wind breaking fabrics on one side are a great way to go, as well, for lightweight warmth. Many fleeces are now made from recycled materials, so check the label.

3. A Train Case

We all remember the vintage Samsonite, which you can still find used at eBay or new for under $100 at other sites. Even Etsy has them upcycled with cool decals from its GetReadySetGo section, as shown above. This small hard-case traveler has made a big comeback because you can carry it on board for precious non cosmetic items (jewelry, small electronics) to check it through with all your toiletries, make-up, hair care, etc. Most have a mirror that can be used and an upper tray that can be removed and used in a hotel drawer or on a counter, or even as a stand for those champagne glasses while bathing.

4. A Soft Duffel Bag

Bring an extra on every trip for packing for home (dirty laundry, gifts generously purchased for friends and family, traveling materials such as maps and journals). They can be handy for day trips or for lugging to the ski mountain or gym for extra gear after showering or hitting the slopes. Great when for train travel or easy-to-get-to items from the main suitcase.

5. A Good Pillow

I never leave home without my own healthy pillow. Why versatile? In the suitcase it can protect breakables, or as a carry on can aid your REM sleep. Most hotels do not invest in good pure pillows and using one of those feedbag cheap pillows can really interrupt a proper night’s sleep. When packing up, use the pillowcase for dirty laundry or excess cargo. These are a must on car trips, too for passenger comfort. A good, organic pillow will last you years, so it’s worth spending the money.

VERSATILE JEWELRY

1. Strand of Pearls

Julia Child, Michelle Obama and Carrie Bradshaw prove classic strands go with just about everything from the classic shifts to Oxford blouses. They evoke Chanel and bridge club preppy as well as clean and modern when chunky and paired with punk pieces. If you have to have one investment, string these along.

2. Small Hoop Earrings

The one style that literally works with almost anything in your wardrobe: Biker jacket and jeans to A-line skirt and platforms. Shoot for hoops in silver or gold or just about any finish.

Images: DeaPeaJay, Vincent Boiteau, CoCreatr, Jason Gulledge, pnoeric, Etsy, Little Eyes

Source: EcoSalon » lifestyle | 11 Mar 2010 | 3:00 pm EST

What Does Sustainability Look Like? Photos From Around the World (Slideshow)

A market for salvaged goods in Cairo, Egypt. Photograph by David Lazar. What does "sustainability" mean to you? That's the question that JPG Magazine, a publication of reader-submitted photography, posed to members of its online community, who posted hundreds of images of peaceful landscapes, freshly grown Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: TreeHugger | 11 Mar 2010 | 10:35 am EST

Best of Ecouterre: 7 Celebs Spotted Wearing Eco-Fashion

+ Is Lady Gaga a stealth refashionista? The empty soda cans in her hair could be the next haute hair accessory. + Woody Harrelson, Food Inc.'s Robert Kenner, Suzy Amis Cameron (wife of James), and Livia Firth (wife of Colin) were just some of the Oscar red-carpet attendees decked in sustainable style. + How our little Herminone has... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: TreeHugger | 11 Mar 2010 | 10:19 am EST

Fabulous AW10 Fashion Week Highlights From Around The Blogosphere

It has been another fabulous season for ethical fashion and all of us green bloggers are delighted to see the ethical designers' collections going from strength to strength. From New York to London to Paris there have been some truly desirable fashion forward pieces for Autumn Winter 2010. Emma Grady did an amazing job of covering Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: TreeHugger | 11 Mar 2010 | 9:44 am EST

Top Stories from Tonic: Green Power in Africa, Hydroponic Farming in Anguilla, Environmental Justice Competition, and More!

Just in time for South Africa to host the World Cup, a group of Harvard students have created a way to provide energy from a soccer ball. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the sOccket.

The Caribbean nation of Anguilla may be lush with tropical forests but it lacks the farms to eat fresh fruits and veggies. Enter hydroponic farming.

If you're into equality and all things green, definitely have a look at this contest from Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: TreeHugger | 11 Mar 2010 | 8:41 am EST

14 Handcrafted Supercool Jewelry Finds

Check out some of the most unique necklaces, earrings, rings and other jewelry -- all made from recycled materials by the artisans of Etsy.

Source: thedailygreen.com article feed | 11 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am EST

Trained Musicians Bound for Greener Pastures on 28-State Tour

This train is bound for a greener planet. The brainchild of Bob Wolf of We Are the World Radio Simulcast fame, the Green Train will depart from Portland in April and pass through various parts of the country during a six-week whistle stop tour featuring musicians, actors, writers and artists. The final stop is Washington D.C. where it will spread the message: Drop your political and religious differences and “dig in” by volunteering for Mother Earth.

“The Green Train is an old fashioned way to deliver a new and simple message,” says Wolf, who personally phoned radio stations and TV networks across the globe to ask that they play We Are the World. “This will be a world’s fair themed train carrying exhibits and simple solutions to living green in a modern world.”

The train’s 20-plus cars and two flatbed acoustical stages will make its way across the map powered by biodiesel and solar energy during the 28-state tour through the West Coast, the Midwest and South before winding up in the East. A European trek is planned for 2011.

We re told all the names of performers will be released soon, but we already know Merle Haggard is on board.

Can they make green inroads by taking their art on the road? Organizers banding the talent together argue if only two percent of the population of the world got involved, there would be more than 130 million simultaneous positive acts and environmental projects for improving our world. This would show our children how people can have a positive impact on the planet.

“It’s not rocket science, just re-educating ourselves and finally realizing there is a major problem and it’s time to fix it,” they say.

Want to get on board by hopping on the train and riding or helping behind the scenes? Go to the site and learn more about the mission.

Images: Green Train Global

Source: EcoSalon » lifestyle | 10 Mar 2010 | 3:35 pm EST

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