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Have You Started Carrying Reusable Bags?

FabSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:12:22 -0800

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Have You Started Carrying Reusable Bags?

Yes — saving the Earth one (less) bag at a time!

No, but I'm going to start.

Sometimes, I keep forgetting to bring a bag when I shop.

Other — do tell!

Not Evil Just Wrong — New Film to Take on Al Gore

LibertySugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:30:42 -0800

The new documentary Not Evil Just Wrong challenges so-called "global warming hysteria." The Irish filmmakers behind the project believe the effort to save the planet only hurts the poor, and they hope the film will discredit "alarmists" like Al Gore.

The film presents some alleged inconvenient truths that counter Al Gore. In the trailer, the Nobel Peace Prize winner is presented as a dark fearmongerer demanding that people drastically change the way they live, or that factories close and take away millions of jobs. Those in the documentary emotionally explain that such efforts destroy industry and ultimately cost people's lives.

Do you think this documentary could change your view of global warming?

In the News: Cabins Go Green

casasugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:00:19 -0800

In a recent New York Times article, "A Cabin Is Not a Shack," writer Louise Tutelian reports on the emerging trend to green second homes, or "cabins" as these houses are identified. One such cabin featured in the article, which is pictured below, was built in Montana using only local and reclaimed materials.

The article maintains that currently, cabin culture is defined by the following:

Ditch the deer heads and moose antlers. Put away the caps with flaps. There is nothing musty, creaky, saggy or squeaky about the new cabin culture. Across the country, cabins are being reimagined in sustainable yet stylish ways. Some combine industrial materials like mesh, oxidized steel and concrete with traditional wood. Others employ reclaimed or recycled material to stay eco-friendly and keep costs down. “Turnkey” models arrive fully constructed, ready to be dropped onto a site. Still other cabins are off the grid, but with the comforts of home. And despite the advances in design, cabin owners want the same thing they always did: a place that provides an escape into the natural world.

To tell me what you think about this trend, and read why I think it's nothing revolutionary,

Will Obama Change the Country's Food System?

YumSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:15:05 -0800

With President-Elect Barack Obama taking office in two months, changes to our country's economy, national security, and foreign policy are imminent. But will America's agricultural system change with Obama in the White House as well? In an interview last month with Time magazine's Joe Klein, Obama commented on a recent article in the New York Times written by Michael Pollan, the country's preeminent critic of modern factory agriculture, saying:

Our entire agricultural system is built on cheap oil. As a consequence, our agriculture sector actually is contributing more greenhouse gases than our transportation sector. And in the meantime, it’s creating monocultures that are vulnerable to national security threats, are now vulnerable to sky-high food prices or crashes in food prices, huge swings in commodity prices, and are partly responsible for the explosion in our healthcare costs because they’re contributing to type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease, obesity, all the things that are driving our huge explosion in healthcare costs.

With Obama in the process of selecting new members for his administration, activists have begun circulating a petition for the new president to appoint Michael Pollan as the country's new Secretary of Agriculture. Do you agree with Obama's remarks that the country's food system is in need of reform? Do you believe this is the beginning of a new agricultural era for the United States?

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Smog Can Claim More Lives Than Car Crashes

LibertySugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:30:00 -0800

Cars can be deadly in California, but not in the way you expect. Air pollution leads to more deaths than car accidents in two California regions. In addition to saving lives, bringing air pollution up to standards would save $28 billion each year in health care costs, missed work, and a loss of salary due to early death, according to a new study.

Despite what this depressing reality may suggest, California hasn't been sleeping at the environmental wheel. The state has plans to display global warming ranking stickers on every new car, and California was one of seven states to join four Canadian provinces in agreeing to cut greenhouse gas emissions even absent of federal action. News about smog related deaths makes California's maverick environmental policies seem more like a necessity, than a luxury.

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Al Gore Says Thanks, but No Thanks to Climate Czar Role

LibertySugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:30:39 -0800

Word on the street is that Barack Obama plans to create a "climate czar" position to lead his administration's climate change and energy policies. But Al Gore, the most likely candidate, has already said that he doesn't want the job.

Perhaps Al Gore either didn't want to fill out that cumbersome questionnaire Obama is passing out to potential appointees, or saw the position as a demotion from vice president. Then again maybe he thinks he can get more done outside of government. Whatever the reason, Al Gore's disinterest may clear the way for another candidate — California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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Piaggio MP3 Hybrid: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

geeksugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:45:41 -0800

Scooters are an awesome alternative to cars for city driving. They're better on gas, and they take up much less room, which equals more parking options! Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio not only produces some of the coolest scoots on the planet (Vespa anyone?), but now they're getting their green on again with the MP3 Hybrid scooter, which was recently unveiled at the International Motorcycle Expo in Italy. The MP3 Hybrid will be the second scooter from Piaggio, with their HyS model already in production. Although it doesn't have many geek-chic amenities like the name suggests, you will get about 141 miles per gallon and go from zero to 60 in five seconds! Adding to the distance will be regenerative breaking — each time you push on the breaks it recharges the battery. I'm totally digging the concept (especially where my wallet is concerned), but I'm still not sure if the three-wheel design is more poindexter than scooter babe. What do you think?

Piaggio MP3 Hybrid: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

Totally geeky!

Geek chic!

Something else. See my comment below.

Casa Beta: Yumi & Lauri blanQuette

casasugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:45:22 -0800

Interested in a throw that's a step above the ordinary? Then try the Y&L blanQuette, a lightweight blanket resembling an oversize plush Turkish towel. Made of 50 percent organic cotton and 50 percent bamboo, the blanQuette measures in at a generous six-and-a-half by almost five feet wide. It's available in five different collections: The St. Moritz, Nevis, Laguna, Milan, and Furano, which each feature varying colors and patterns. Each blanQuette sells for $195 to $235.

Yumi & Lauri was founded by mother and entrepreneur Laurie Suzuki, who was inspired to turn Turkish towels into something more luxurious and versatile — which led to the birth of the blanQuette. Her commitment to eco-friendly practices also contributed to the organic content of the blanQuette.

I recently had the opportunity to test out a blanQuette from the Laguna collection. To hear my thoughts on it,

Recycled Book Remote Storage: Love It or Leave It?

geeksugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:00:20 -0800

Remember how I was whining about having a million remotes on my coffee table yesterday? Well, I found another solution, and this time, it's green, hides your remotes, and makes you look smart! Secret Storage Books are real books that have been given a second life by having their insides carved out, so you can put them on your coffee or side table with your remote inside (bonus — you'll always know where it is). Prices range from $17 to $75, depending on the kind and size of book you want.What do you think? Am I making too big of a deal of needing to hide my remotes, or are you into this recycled book idea?

Recycled Book Remote Storage: Love It or Leave It?

Love it!

Leave it!

I think it's _________. See my comment below.

Jigsaw Launches Eco Beauty Range

BellaSugarUK — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:00:00 -0800

If your beauty junkie tendencies are well aligned with a healthy sense of eco awareness then you'll be thrilled to learn about the latest high street beauty line. One of my favourite fashion stores, Jigsaw, has just launched it's first organic beauty range. So now you can snap up the newest products as well as lusting over their to-die-for bags and skinny belts.

Jigsaw's new line consists of ten luxurious products, all made with beautifully rich ingredients that are based on the idea of at-home spa relaxation. They are all handmade in Devon and are over 70% Organic and Soil Association Certified, so there's no need to feel guilty when splashing your cash. I'm a sucker for the organic hand cream which now has pride of place by my desk.

Other must-buys include the fantastic organic body scrub. It's a great exfoliator to slough off dry winter skin and make your whole body look glowing. Plus the organic bath milk is ideal for a pre-party, post-work pampering. These would make thoughtful stocking fillers too in case you're starting your Christmas shopping early.