Archive for January, 2010
January 27th, 2010
Images by B.Alter. Perito Moreno glacier in Patagonia
The World Glacier Monitoring Service has jumped into the controversy about whether the glaciers are melting. And their answer is an emphatic yes.
In their annual report they confirmed that glaciers across the world are melting so quickly that many will disappear by the middle of this century. Some in a few decades. The most vulnerable are in lower mountain ranges like the Alps and the Pyrenees in Europe, … Read the full story on TreeHugger
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January 27th, 2010
Reworks, Inc., a development and design/build company in Portland, just sent us a tip on their newly completely project, Eight x 17. The green development includes four homes in Sellwood (southeast Portland) currently priced low- to mid-$600,000. Designed by Aaron Blake of Reworks and developed with Penkin Development, LLC, these contemporary homes meet the Oregon High Performance Home standard and are Earth Advantage certified.
Homebuilders that construct homes to the Oregon High Performance Home standard may receive a tax credit of up to $12,000. In order to qualify, generally speaking, the home must meet specific heat loss requirements and obtain Energy Star certification. The HVAC system must be high performance and the home must include a renewable energy system that provides a minimum level of on-site energy savings or generation.
The homes at Eight x 17 include a solar thermal hot water system, as well as a high efficiency hydronic clean air furnace, ground floor radiant heating, and wiring for optional photovoltaic panels.
In addition, Reworks built the homes with sustainably harvested and non-toxic materials, non-toxic spray foam insulation, fiber cement and rainscreen cedar siding, a long-life standing seam roof, strategically placed large windows, and dual-flush toilets.
Homeowners also benefit from low-water demand landscaping and eco-roof gardens. At Eight x 17, the homes vary in size from 1,950 square feet to 2,200 square feet, but they each include four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. Learn more at Eight x 17.
Photo credits: Reworks Inc./Penkin Development, LLC.
January 27th, 2010
Image credit: thelastminute/Flickr
The height of extreme waves, commonly called “100-year waves,” is increasing in the Pacific Northwest. According to new research from Oregon State University, the height of these giant waves could be more than 40 percent greater—reaching more than 46 feet—than previous estimates. The devastation to the coast such waves would cause, according to researchers, could be even greater than a rise in sea levels…. Read the full story on TreeHugger
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January 27th, 2010
Home design is a passion of ours, but how we cringe when we consider that deforestation may have contributed to the wood furniture peddled by mass retailers. Lucky for us, and for you, nesting au natural does not mean having to throw your ethics or aesthetics out the window. We’ve already written about the vanguards behind environment, whose Los Angeles outpost is a regular ecofab stop when we’re in the City of Angels. In nearby Santa Monica, another green-friendly showroom is proving that design can, and should, have a conscience.
Viesso offers a bevy of options for shoppers who value locally-sourced materials, natural fibers, water based glues, and reclaimed wood. From concept to execution, the company focuses on simplifying and streamlining the design process, building pieces with as little waste as possible.
The bamboo Buden bed would be a sleek addition to anyone’s bedroom, while the Plyned dining table is a statement piece that we are currently coveting from afar. That said, we’re thankful that Viesso accommodates customers from all parts of the country, and will even make a donation to the Carbon Fund to offset the price of your plane ticket if you fly out to see the showroom.
January 26th, 2010
At IBS 2010 last week, CertainTeed announced their new EnerGen Photovoltaic Solar Power Roofing System, which is offered through a partnership with Energy Conversion Devices, manufacturer of UNI-SOLAR thin-film solar laminates. The EnerGen system combines lightweight UNI-SOLAR panels with traditional asphalt roofing shingles. The photos in this article show a 3.2 kW EnerGen system installed on the official governor’s residence of Michigan.
The EnerGen system requires no rooftop penetrations and was designed to appear flush with roof shingles. It will be offered in pre-engineered kits with everything necessary for installation.
While the cost of the system has not been determined, CertainTeed told us that the panels and installation will be competitive with existing systems. EnerGen will be sold the typical roofing distribution channel, so homeowners interested in the product will be able to work with roofing contractors to get it.
In turn, the lack of roof penetrations and pre-engineered kit setup should make installation a cinch for most roofing contractors.
Currently, CertainTeed is preparing to launch the EnerGen system. The product launch is expected in the springtime of 2010, with increasing market availability after that.
Other companies working on solar roofing products include Dow Solar, Sun Energy Engineering, Co., SRS Energy, and Centria Services Group (also using UNI-SOLAR thin-film laminates but in the standing seam roofing context).
Photo credits: CertainTeed.
January 26th, 2010
Image: M. Rauschert, CoML
Maybe the nightmare fish recently featured here aren’t quite your thing. To maintain the balance, here are some of the cutest specimens featured in the best of the Census of Marine Life. The CoML project is the most ambitious project ever aimed at mapping all life in the seas. In 2010, the international year of biodiversity, CoML will finish its mission.
<a href="http://www.treehugger.com/gallerie… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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January 26th, 2010
Photo: Outside magazine online
The Tree Hugger 32 is a new pack due for release by The North Face this northern hemisphere Spring of 2010. Obviously the name has a certain resonance for us, but the details of the pack also sound curious.
Largely because the main body fabric is from a worsted merino wool in a gridded ripstop pattern. Apparently the wool has been allowed to retain some of its natural oils to add some degree of weatherproofing. Besides the body cloth, there are an impressive list of recycled components…. Read the full story on TreeHugger
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January 26th, 2010
Image from zimbio.com
The Tay is one of Scotland’s greatest salmon fishing rivers. The opening of the 2010 angling season is historically heralded by a pipe band, pouring rain and the traditional quaich of whisky. However the difference this year is that fishermen are being urged, implored and begged to put back every fish that they catch in an effort to preserve stocks.
The number of spring salmon returning to the Tay has been declining. This season the numbers are down dramatically, so much so that the Tay Distr… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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January 26th, 2010
Image credit: Planet Green
Skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and skating are activities that make the winter warm and fun even for people that hate the cold. The only problem is that, increasingly, erratic weather is hurting the snow and ice that make these classic pastimes possible.
This winter, Planet Green is sending out an S.O.S.: Save Our Slopes…. Read the full story on TreeHugger
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January 26th, 2010
Images via the BBC
You know that old thought experiment dealing with giving monkeys typewriters and seeing they could come up with Shakespeare? Well, chimpanzees may not be likely to create the work of England’s most famous playwright, but it turns out they can make a hell of a movie. Naturalists in Britain gave chimps “monkey-proof” camera equipment and let them run wild with it–and they ended up shooting a movie. That film has now been edited and will be airing on the BBC this week–the trailer’s after the jump…. Read the full story on TreeHugger
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