Non Toxic Vision

Power Shift 2007 Lobby Day

Right now and through Monday, the coalition is running a display ad at the Capitol South Metro station in Washington, DC, (see photo) as well as a huge student lobbying effort about global warming and the Energy Bill. If you are near the Capitol try and support the group. More information and schedule of events: http://powershift07.org/lobby. Great job guys!!

H-racer

A toy car (6 inches long) that might hold the solution for future travel: it converts water into hydrogen with solar power. Created by accident by the Shanghai-based company Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies this toy car even comes with it's own fuel station. Fill the tank with water and plug in the solar panel. Bubbles rising in the water signal oxygen formation. In 10 minutes it's ready to roll. Since this discovery the company is now working on  a full-size fuel cell car. Until then you can play with the smaller version, which is made out of non-toxic, recyclable material. Also: a great gift introducing great technology at U$ 99 at www.amazon.com

Plastic Water Bottles

Did you know that 1,5 million barrels of petroleum go into the production of the 38 billion plastic water bottles Americans toss every year? So water filter and container producers are jumping on the green bandwagon. Nestle (owner of Arrowhead, Poland Spring and Ice Mountain), Coca-Cola (Dasani Water) and Pepsi Co (Aquafina) are now trying to find ways to cut 30 % of plastic usage, using smaller labels or introducing a cap that can be recycled....well all good efforts. I still do not understand why we must buy bottled water, that is according to consumer group findings in Aquafina's case just purified tap water?? Wouldn't it be a lot easier to just purify it at home and refill existing plastic containers. I do it all the time - it saves money and petroleum. So please do not buy into every fad out there - most of it is just smart marketing.

globalINHERITANCE

This organization is pushing the envelope in recreating the way people look at activism. Their initiative includes the following 6 programs:

• FashionPeace creative thinking over peace. An art based program in which participants collaborate through fashion design to present messages on a diverse range of topics and causes www.fashionpeace.org
• TRASHed :: Art of Recycling This large scale art initiative brings together the world's best artists to turn ordinary recycle bins into amazing work of art www.getTRASHed.org
• TRASHed :: Recycling Store: An event based program where recyclable bottles are the currency by which concert goers can acquire cool merchandise www.getTRASHed.org/store
• Tourrider: a traffic congestion and air pollution initiative where concert goers carpool to gain access to a range of perks including give bags and VIP access.
• You're the BOMB: an art initiative that aims to bring focus of the escalating problem of nuclear weapon proliferation in the 21st century. www.stopthebomb.com
• Instrumental Assistance: A music based initiative partnering with school districts nationwide to raise interest and participation among school aged children in playing instruments. www.globalinheritance.org/instrumental

Hybrid purchase

I am quite happy to report, that I was able to persuade my boyfriends mother (who is 80 years old) to purchase a hybrid car. After research we did, made really simple thanks to a comparison done by Wired Magazine and Times Green issue I was able to point her to the right makers. Armed with really good information (she was better informed than the sales people) she finally bought a Nissan Altima. She was quite happy to find out that her first 6 hour trip upstate NY only took a quarter tank - while her truely beloved Volvo S60 needed a full tank of gas. Not only is she happy about the savings - she told me that the emission data was more compelling to her. And: she gets about USD 2,000 money back in taxes.

Japan comats Global Warming

Japan pledged U$ 100 Million to the Asian Development Bank to combat global warming and to promote greener investments. At the same time it called for a stronger international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emission. The money is part of a initiative to support sustainable development in response to increasing concern that Asia's economic growth is destroying the environment. Japan will also provide up to 2 Billion US$ in loans to the Asian Development Bank over the next five years to promote general investment in the region.

Union of Concerned Scientists

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is a nonprofit partnership of scientists and citizens combining rigorous scientific analysis, innovative policy development and effective citizen advocacy to achieve practical environmental solutions.

From their website, you can sign up for the UCS action network which provides a way for you to send e-mails and faxes to your elected officials on the most pressing environmental issues of the day. You can also sign up for the newsletter Greentips, which offers a range of suggestions for readers to reduce their environmental impact in their everyday activities. Or there's the newsletter FEED--Food and Environment Electronic Digest-- a collection of timely, informative news snippets written for consumers and others with a particular interest in food safety and agricultural issues. Finally, you can sign up for various science networks like Energynet--an electronic network aimed at advancing clean energy solutions.

To check out the Union of Concerned Scientists, go to www.ucsusa.org

Inego Nature Works - Earth Month Events

From North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, the Inego NatureWorks Earth Month hosts a series of events, happenings and discussions around the world: e.g. The Launch Pad Showroom in New York, NY; London Roundtable, Brooklyn Industries in Chelsea, NY; Friends of the Earth in Hong Kong; Festival of Fitness in Florence, Italy; Lohas 11 Forum, Marina del Ray in CA; Terra Futura in Florence, Italy... For more details check out: www.natureworksllc.com

Tesla Roadster

was rated "Best Earth Saver" 2006 by BusinessWeek. This electric-powered two-seater does 0 to 60 mph in four seconds, can hit 130, and has better torque than cars with gas-guzzling combustion engines. The motor is eerily quiet and goes 250 miles between charges. Tesla promises 100,000 miles of batery life. Imagine: In the future you will be able to live near the highway without worrying about effects on your health. Order now - only 1,000 are planned at a price tag of USD 100,000. www.teslamotors.com

Wal-Mart goes Organic

I don't think so. This is the biggest oxymoron out there. OK, Wal-Mart is joining the green movement and is selling oranic produce .... Made in China that is, which will leave an enormous carbon footprint. It also ignores farmers in the US trying to really make a change. To me it just seems that Wal-Mart takes the catch-word of the day and rides the wave it does not deserve to ride. Wal-Mart is still one of the most evil companies out there producing junk nobody really needs. If they would be really so concerned about us and the environment they should just stop sellling plastic toys and garment made in countries they are exploiding...I guess that brings us back to China.