BALLE: Creating A Community-Based Global Economy
By Jenna Kirkman
Filed Under Conscious Commerce | 2 Comments
After reading last month’s article on food miles, it is clear that the corporate centralization of global food supply means ‘efficient’ mass production that works against all standards of environmental responsibility and health. Without an alternative, eating a fresh, healthy diet would be a hard fought battle, yet thankfully, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) has a firm grasp on the issue.
BALLE is a network that inter-connects sustainable businesses throughout the world. The businesses involved share a common desire to reduce energy use, produce less waste, support localized economies, and explore new green opportunities including fair trade, fair wages, and healthy work environments for an integrated, sustainable economy. Continue reading BALLE: Creating A Community-Based Global Economy…
Posted on August 4, 2008 |
SciFri: How To Make Biodiesel
By Erin Gallagher
Filed Under Green Living, eCo TV | Leave a Comment
Ever wondered how to beat the ever-rising cost of fuel? Many people over the past few years have pioneered the use of waste vegetable oil (WVO) to make biodiesel. Since it is a recycled material, biodiesel from WVO does not have wreak havoc on the environment or global food supply that ethanol and biodiesel from virgin oil often does. This fuel can be used in modern diesel engines like the Volkswagen Jetta, and older diesels like Mercedes-Benz, with just a few minimal adjustments. The truly amazing thing about biodiesel from WVO is that you can recycle the oil from a local restaurant and make the biodiesel yourself, right in your own garage. In this video, Science Friday features the special recipe for biodiesel. If you’re a nerd at heart, push play and pass the french fries, because you could be on your way to $1 per gallon!
Posted on July 30, 2008 |
Top 10 Coolest Ways To Kick Oil On Your Commute
By Jillian Polaski
Filed Under Green Living | 2 Comments
It’s Independence Day, and at eCo Times, we must of course celebrate our emerging independence from oil. The days of the dollar gallon of gas are long gone, and the pain at the pump increases each week. Let’s look at the logical alternatives-if you have a long commute, go electric. If you have a short commute, you can cancel your gym membership and get you workout at the same time as your commute. Check out our top ten coolest ways (for both climate and style) to increase your independence from oil. Happy 4th Of July!
10 Alternative Fuels
Biofuels are an alternative to gasoline that are becoming more readily available every day. Ethanol and biodiesel are examples of fuels that are not only more abundantly available, but also emit less harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gases. In addition, there are tax incentives for those purchasing alternative fuels. The most important thing with these fuels is checking the source. Biodiesel is the best choice when it’s made from locally collected Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO), not razed rainforests in South America. Ethanol is a great choice when it is made from agricultural and municipal waste, not valuable food crops.
9 Hybrid Vehicles
The best hybrids definitely give Big Oil a kick in the Swiss bank account. They run on an engine powered partially by petroleum and partially by electric battery. Many models boast 40+ MPG, like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid. One of the most exciting hybrids to hit the road recently is the Aptera 1, a 3-wheeled, 2 passenger vehicle which boasts over 200 mpg! Most states give a tax credit with the purchase of a hybrid vehicle. What’s more economical than getting paid for saving money on gas?
8 Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles require no gas at all. They operate on rechargeable batteries which can be charged right at home and no greenhouse gases are emitted from the tailpipe. If you happen to run your home’s energy on solar, you could have an incredibly small ecological footprint when you drive. Even if you do get energy from coal-fired plants, running your car on electricity is still much more efficient than importing oil from the Middle East. Some great electric vehicles to check out are the smokin’ hot Tesla Roadster as well as the funky NmG and the adorable Xebra by Zap!.
7 Scooters and Mopeds
Many scooters and mopeds these days can be electrically charged right in the comfort of your own garage; some models even charge the battery while you’re driving. And as a bonus, you’ll look really cool riding one… Europeans and Asians are way ahead of the US in their adoption of this super efficient mode of transport, and the matching outfits that go along with them. Fuel for thought: The average car in the United States costs 32 times more to travel the same distance as the eGO Scooter pictured here.
6 Rollerskating
Whether you’re coasting through Venice on purple Puma skates or zipping through Manhattan traffic on your rollerblades, skating is definitely one of the most fun ways to get to work. (Though a change of clothes is definitely going to be necessary.) Blading will get you where you want to go quickly and efficiently and skating will get you there in riotously retro style. You choose.
5 Mass Transit
For every passenger mile traveled, public transportation uses about half the fuel of private transportation. Plus, you never know who you might strike up a conversation with, you could even fall in love. Not something that’s likely to happen in your car by yourself. (Hopefully.) Google maps has a great site that will give you station information, maps, and schedules for your area.
4 Walking
We have legs for a reason, right? Walking is not only fuel efficient (the only energy you’ll be burning are calories), it’s the best way to really the see the community you’re living in. Walking is absolutely the most relaxing way to get around town. Don’t have a walkable community? Get involved with America Walks.
3 Biking
If you live just a little too far from work to walk, bicycling is a great alternative-and your glutes will thank you for it also. Now there are solar powered bikes and even fold-up bikes that you can easily carry around with you. There’s also incredibly fun group rides you can do in your local community, like the internationally-known monthly Critical Mass ride or the annual World Naked Bike Ride
2 Telecommuting
More and more companies are allowing their employees to telecommute part time, if not full time. Thank goodness for that. Besides the perk of being able to work in your pajamas, you’ll save money and energy in gas, as well as all that wasted time getting there and back, and you won’t have to see your boss…well, except on video conferencing. When are the geeks going to realize that not all technological advances are a good idea?
1 Skateboarding
If you don’t like walking, try skateboarding. You’ll bring out your inner child while still getting some exercise and helping out the environment. And, many companies, are now making skateboards available in eco-friendly materials like bamboo and FSC-certified wood. Just think, you can fulfill your early dreams of Gleaming The Cube with Christian Slater…finally.
Posted on July 4, 2008 |
Farewell My Subaru…It’s A Fine Life Without Petroleum
By Jenn Breckenridge
Filed Under Green Living, eCo TV | 3 Comments
Okay, this may be one of the coolest people I’ve come across in a minute. Have you seen Into The Wild? Liked it? Well, America, meet Doug Fine. Some of you may already be familiar with him, through his humorous NPR spots or his articles in the Washington Post, Wired, or Outside. He wrote a book back in 2004 called Not Really An Alaskan Mountain Man where he breaks down the hilarity of “broken down snowmachines, heavy dead whales, frozen pipes, angry moose and disorientation in a bear-packed wilderness.”
His most recent book is called Farewell, My Subaru where Doug recounts another set of hilarious misadventures in greener, locally-sourced living. Now, he’s surviving on a ranch in rural New Mexico with his pregnant wife where he attempts to live fossil fuel free, cultivate vegetables, and raise livestock. The funny part is mainly due to the fact that, previous to establishing the Funky Butte Ranch, Doug had no previous electrical, mechanical or farming skills. He’s making his own biodiesel, catching his own water, and producing plenty of electricity for his bumpin’ stereo system and his many modern appliances. Check this man out-he’s on fire!
Posted on May 28, 2008 |
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