Living Green isn't something that happens by accident - it has to be designed into the way we live and the buildings we live in. That's what noted green architect Job Mouwen of the Netherlands tells us in an article for Green Blog entitled "Sustainability - a renewed look at locality in architecture".

It's a tough, technical article, so it's worth summarizing. Nothing is more important to living green than our ecological footprint, which usually comes down to how much energy we consume. Green architecture has to take into account local climate and needs with an eye towards looking at every building as a kind of power plant. With energy in various forms all around us, buildings have to be designed to use the solar, wind, and organic sources of energy efficiently and wisely to work with the environment that they inhabit.

This new way of thinking isn't all that new, but the urgency is. Architects all around the world are beginning to focus on living green as the main purpose of their work because the need is so critical. That's the good news. The hard part is that it depends a lot on local conditions, meaning there aren't any easy answers that can be applied with a cookie cutter across the world.

This article is one of many hard-hitting examples from the Green Blog that are worth reading. Be prepared to take your time because it’s full of thought-provoking reading! In the end it's very much worth it because living green takes careful planning and a real change in your life. Are you ready? Green Blog is doing its best to help you say yes!

Labels: green architecture, green building, living green, local

Yeah, you could get a hybrid car... but there are more ways to get around then the traditional set of wheels!

Check out these high tech and low tech ideas for getting around town on the cheap (and without a car):::

Scooters -

"Under many conditions, scooters are the fastest way to travel distances of less than a mile. Walking a half mile on level ground takes about 10 minutes for a reasonably fit adult. On a kick scooter, you can travel the same distance in 3 minutes. For people who make frequent trips of about a half mile, these savings can add up to several hours a week. Bicycles are faster than scooters, but they often require cumbersome lugging in and out of a building, or locking/unlocking outside. In most settings, a kick scooter beats a bike door to door for trips of up to 3/4 mile.

Also, when blending with transit, most electric scooters and all non-folding bikes are subject to prohibitions not imposed on small folding scooters that carry on like luggage."

• Electric scooters are allowed on public transit (bus/train/plane); gas-powered scooters are prohibited.
• Electric scooters are allowed inside public buildings; gas-powered scooters are prohibited.
• Noise and air pollution of gas-powered scooters is eliminated (along with public disapproval).
• Due to the simplicity of electric motors, less maintenance is required.
• Electric motors provide quick starts and hill-climbing without the delay of gas engine "ramp up".
• Although often purchased as a "toy", electric scooters often live long lives as transportation.

Check out some KICK SCOOTERS here via electric-bikes.com

Motor Scooters -

• At the bigger/faster end of two-wheeled electric vehicles are electric motor-scooters and electric motorcycles.
• Performance of electric motor-scooters lies between electric bikes and gas-powered motor-scooters. Motor-scooters with a top speed of 30 mph qualify in most states as a "moped".
  
• Electric motorcycles currently don't offer the range of gas-powered cycles, but can offer better acceleration and less maintenance."

eGO-2 Cycle, e-Moto Scooters, Zapino, Forsen, EVT, GreenEmotor, Falcon EV motorscooters
via electric-bikes.com

CycleCar (aka Commute Car) - "A freeway capable commuter vehicle with all the latest electric technology. The first affordable car was called the "Cyclecar" in 1910. (Wikipedia: Cyclecar) This new CycleCar strives for its place in history as the first affordable electric commuter with plenty of performance and range."

• Seats two passengers side by side.
• 10 gallon trunk capacity with inside light.
• Front/Rear independent hydraulic shock absorbers.
• Front/Rear hydraulic disc brakes.
• Windshield wipers.
• 97" length, 74" wheelbase, 56" width, 55" height.
• Two tone upholstery seats - Automatic rectractable seat belts.
• Electric Accessories: 12 Volt Socket, Parking Light, Inside Cabin Light
• 2 tone painting. Standard colors red, white, blue, yellow. Black top and underside.
• Security glass sunroof.
• Three wheeled vehicle registers and insures as a motorcycle. Less than half the insurance of a car.

via electric-bikes.com

Electric Bike -

• want to save money, meet new people, and protect the environment;

• enjoy the feeling of riding a bicycle - except for hills, headwinds, and starting from a stop;
  
• prefer their local errands to be easy, slow paced and scenic;
  
• look for extra chances to exercise - even if it's just a little;
  
• still need convenient, point-to-point transportation after losing their driving privleges;
  
• want their own traffic "lane", convenient parking spots and shortcuts;
  
• considered a gas-powered moped or motorscooter, but dislike the noise, smell, starting problems and special laws;
• deserve more fun and freedom in their lives.

Go here for The top 10 reasons to buy an electric bike ...
via electric-bikes.com

Good Ole' fashion Bicycle -

• Bikes are low maintenance
• good exercise
• low tech
• parts are always easily available in just about any town

This one might take more physical endurance, but in regions which are flat taking a bike to work could end up a lot quicker and healthier then sitting in exhaust clouds of traffic!

Donkey, Mule or Horse - Grass not gas! All you need to make your donkey, mule or horse go is an acre of grass and some hay! (Plus some love and tune ups with your local livestock vet.)

• no parts required
• fuel is everywhere
• it will be your friend for life

Ride Eco!!!

Labels: cars, eco, electric bike, transportation, vehicle

What does it take to make wood furniture that brings a sense of grace and beauty into your house? Craftsmanship and real walnut and cherry wood are definitely important, but so is a sense of pride that your dining room table or solid wood bed was not made at the expense of the land we live on. Sustainable wood harvesting isn't just some lofty goal, it's a big part of what consumers need to expect.

How do you know that you're the quality walnut or cherry came from sustainable forestry? That's another difficulty.

The best way to be sure that wood furniture was made from sustainable wood harvesting practices is certification through the Forest Stewardship Council. They have a process called "Certified Origin" Wood. Because wood and wood products are sold through so many distributors, an established "chain of custody" has to be established where each step along the way can certify that every piece of walnut, cherry, and oak that they claim came from sustainable forestry. That can be expensive and time consuming.

Here at Erik Organic, we buy our wood furniture directly from the craftsman who, in most cases, buy their wood from small mills nearby. The hardwoods usually come from windbreaks on farmland that have become overgrown and ready to harvest. Generally, most of the wood comes from sustainable forestry in the sense that we know where it came from. But it's hard to certify walnut or cherry when it comes from small stands across the countryside. Sustainable wood harvesting can't just be something you should just take our word on, either.

We are working to figure out a solution that keeps our local system in place while still being able to abide by the standards that were written for the larger needs of sustainable forestry. It has not been easy so far. In the meantime, it would be good to acquaint yourself with what the Forest Stewardship Council has to say about sustainable wood harvesting. When you are buying wood furniture you should be buying more than craftsmanship and quality, you should be part of the solution that includes sustainable wood harvesting.

Fine hardwood furniture made from walnut and cherry are beautiful, but the sense of grace that makes them heirloom furniture includes sustainable forestry. Our goal is to be able to insure that at a small, local level that you can depend on.

Labels: craftsmanship, exotic hardwoods, sustainability, sustainable forestry

There is more to organic gardening then simply not spraying chems on the food we grow - there is a delicate eco system to keep in balance in each of our backyards! The healthiest way to start your garden is with hardy plants native to your region - this will attract, feed and house local wildlife & keep dangerous exotics commonly sold at big box stores from attracting the wrong kind of pests. Keeping the rest of your non- food garden native will help out your food garden by attracting beneficial insects, keeping out exotic disease, and retaining better soil quality (aka, no chemical fertilizers or sprays to try and force the exotics to grow in the wrong climate.)
The National Wildlife Federation has a really awesome program set up to help nature lovers and gardeners unite all over the USA to make their gardens an eco friendly mecca for wildlife. Already having over 70,000 acres worth of land certified across the country as National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitats, you too can easily join in by following just a few simple pointers in the guide below - then you can get your home certified as a peaceful refuge for native plants, birds and mammals in your town! (You can even get a cool sign to put up, that shows your accomplishment...)

The following is the NWF guide to gardening for wildlife, written by the NWF:::

Create a Certified Wildlife Habitat

Whether you have an apartment balcony or a 20-acre farm, you can create a garden that attracts beautiful wildlife and helps restore habitat in commercial and residential areas. By providing food, water, cover and a place for wildlife to raise their young--and by incorporating sustainable gardening practices--you not only help wildlife, but you also qualify to become an official Certified Wildlife Habitat™.

How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

Provide Food for Wildlife

Everyone needs to eat! Planting native forbs, shrubs and trees is the easiest way to provide the foliage, nectar, pollen, berries, seeds and nuts that many species of wildlife require to survive and thrive. You can also incorporate supplemental feeders and food sources.

Supply Water for Wildlife

Wildlife need clean water sources for many purposes, including drinking, bathing and reproduction. Water sources may include natural features such as ponds, lakes, rivers, springs, oceans and wetlands; or human-made features such as bird baths, puddling areas for butterflies, installed ponds or rain gardens.

Create Cover for Wildlife

Wildlife require places to hide in order to feel safe from people, predators and inclement weather. Use things like native vegetation, shrubs, thickets and brush piles or even dead trees.

Give Wildlife a Place to Raise Their Young

Wildlife need a sheltered place to raise their offspring. Many places for cover can double as locations where wildlife can raise young, from wildflower meadows and bushes where many butterflies and moths lay their eggs, or caves where bats roost and form colonies.

Let Your Garden Go Green

How you maintain your garden or landscape can have an important effect on the health of the soil, air, water and habitat for native wildlife--as well as the human community nearby. Reducing chemical use, composting, mulching and reducing turf grass in your yard are important steps to gardening greener.

Ready...Set...Certify!

Once you have provided these essential elements to make a healthy and sustainable wildlife habitat, join the thousands of wildlife enthusiasts across the country who have earned the distinction of being part of NWF's Certified Wildlife Habitat™ program.

Read more about native gardening HERE.

Labels: eco, gardening, native plants, NWF

Distressed wood is a term for wood furniture that has been made to look as though it is older than it is. When it is done well, a fine table, dresser, or chair should not be made to look as though they are worn or beaten up, but have the natural effects that come from being old. It's popular finish option for many kinds of heirloom furniture.

The process of making distressed wood furniture is outlined in detail on our website. It starts with a well crafted piece such as a walnut table, a cherry dresser, or an sturdy oak chair. It then takes a lot of careful consideration as to what makes a piece look like well aged heirloom furniture without going too far. The most common approach is to use layered finishes that show through each other, as if loving hands have been using the piece over many years.

Distressed wood furniture should never be done by amateurs, and indeed distressing is a craft in itself. It is important to understand not only how fine wood furniture is made but how it slowly ages. For example, a wood table may develop variations in the finish on the top due to hot plates and spills over years of use. A dresser may have its drawer corners worn smoother over time, and a chair will have the finish worn away on the arms.

There are other effects that are more "natural" that often go into making distressed wood furniture. Woodworms leave behind holes that can make the surface of a wood table or the front of a dresser look pock-marked. This has to be done carefully, however, if it is to look like natural aging of fine woods like walnut and cherry rather than pattern made by people. Once again, it comes down to studying what happens to heirloom furniture over time

Some people may regard the look of distressed wood furniture as artificial or just fake. It should never be the only way a piece of furniture comes because the craft cannot be done well in mass production. If you like the look of distressed wood it is essential that it be done by a craftsman who is well versed in all aspects of heirloom furniture. The same person who shapes the walnut or cherry needs to be involved in preparing the aged finish.

If you like distressed wood furniture, insist on the best. There is never any substitute for craftsmanship!

Labels: dining room table, distressed wood finish

There is likely a solar powered version now of most gadgets we love - from our holiday lights to our pond aerator! Check out some of these practical, fun and wild ways you can harness the sun for a more eco & affordable lifestyle.

"This low-cost, high-performance solar oven can produce cooking temperatures within an hour in full sun and be used for up to six hours; perfect for baked goods or slow-cooking stews. The Hot Pot Simple Solar Cooker includes a 5.3 quart enameled steel pot. The aluminum reflector sides fold down for easy storage. The oven can reach temperatures up to 212-350 degrees. Respected institutions such as Florida Solar Energy Center and Energy Laboratories, Inc. tested and refined the product's design over a six-year period. Sales of the Hot Pot help subsidize the distribution of this device in developing countries to reduce deforestation and respiratory disease caused by traditional cooking methods. $99 at Real Goods."

"Buying rechargable batteries is always far better than purchasing the disposable ones. However, it's still not a perfect method. It helps so that you're throwing away less batteries, but at the same time you're still plugging something into the wall and using your electricity to charge the batteries. Instead of plugging a battery charger into the wall, this ReNEW would allow for your rechargable batteries to become even more eco-friendly.

This ReNEW charger allows for you to just drop the batteries through the top slot and once the battery is all charged it will drop out of the bottom. On the back of the unit is a solar panel that is the resource of the power pumped into your batteries. The charger can either sit on a tabletop like a picture frame or you could use the suction cup to attach it to a window. It's a fantastic design, but sadly it is still a concept. By Ubergizmo "

"If you're thinking of attempting to use solar power more often, here's a bag that'll store your gadgets and even keep them charged. It's large enough that it'll work great for your day to day needs, while giving the convenience of having the ability to charge your cellphone no matter where you're at. Plus you'll get to show off to the world that you're taking an eco-friendly stance.

The solar panels produce over 3 watts when it's in direct sunlight. Even on a cloudy day it can still charge up a 1600mAh Li-ion battery pack. Then of course you can store up the energy and even use it at night after the sun has set. The bag itself is capable of holding a 15.4" laptop, plus probably a few of your smaller gadgets. To pick up the oxhide bag, it'll cost you about $250." Envirogadget

"Fancy tanning yourself out under the sun? Why not have some quiet personal time in the privacy of your own backyard with this solar-powered bullet vibrator, courtesy of Libida? Should you feel shy about baring your bits in full view of anyone with a good pair of binoculars or telescopes, there is always the option to use it indoors as it can also function via artificial light as well. This eco-friendly device retails for $29.95 a pop." Product Page via Popgadget






"Who would have thought that something as ordinary as a drinking bottle could also harness the power of the sun with a strategically placed solar panel, where this converted energy can then be used to power its built-in lantern? The LightCap 300 Solar Powered Lantern & Water Bottle does exactly just that, retailing for a mere $29.99 while featuring a quartet of extremely bright white LEDs without weighing you down with its 10.5 oz weight for both bottle and cap. The translucent cap is deemed to be unbreakable, although we're pretty sure that falls within reasonable boundaries and does not include having a huge slab of concrete dropped over it from a few meters above. Looks like a decent tool to bring camping, and at least you can see whether any creepy-crawlies have made it to the inside of your drink at night before taking a few sips. "

"The Solar Cabin System:
These systems are designed for intermittent use, including weekends and holidays, with time to charge your system between visits. Use the system sizing worksheet and power consumption table on the opposite page to get an idea of your energy needs. A solar system can run DC appliances and lights or you can add an inverter and run conventional AC 120- volt appliances. Estimating the length of your average visits and the length of time between those visits will help you (and our expert technicians) determine which system is right for you. If you need more power for full-time operation, we can help you with that, too. Battery options are listed separately. You will need to provide wire and some other parts (available locally) depending on your particular application." Real Goods.

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Learn More About How Solar Power Works HERE.

Labels: gadget, solar, solar power, sunlight