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WorldChanging
Tools, Models and Ideas for Building a Bright Green Future
- Nike and Pop!Tech Team Up to Find New Low-Impact Materials
- Danica Real The successful solutions event Pop!Tech* is taking their work to a new level. Their latest project is Pop!Tech Labs, which will bring together a... [?]
- The Pursuit of New Ways to Boost Solar Development
- Yale Environment 360by Jon R. Luoma The solar power boom in Germany, Spain, and parts of the United States has been fueled by government subsidies. But now... [?]
- Australia Invest in World's First Utility-Scale Wave Power Project
- Yale Environment 360 A UK-based renewable energy company has received a $61 million grant from the Australian government to build the world’s first utility-scale wave power project.... [?]
- Aid Groups, Farmers Collaborate to Re-Green Sahel
- Ben Block Disastrous droughts crippled Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali in the early 1970s and more severely in the early 1980s. More than 100,000 people died.... [?]
- Climate Success in Copenhagen
- Alex SteffenA quick note. Several people have asked me recently about Copenhagen and COP-15, and whether the summit isn't a failure from the start, since it... [?]
- Lifting the Lid on Climate Change Talks
- WorldChanging Teamby John Vidal Rich countries bullying poorer ones, mud-slinging and back-stabbing - environmental summits can be vicious. At 8am on Wednesday 7 October, a smartly... [?]
- Fairtrade is the Best Hope for India's Tea Producers
- WorldChanging Teamby Nick Mathiason The Chamraj estate in Tamil Nadu is thriving thanks to the Fairtrade Foundation - but the same cannot be said for the... [?]
- How Real is Our Ability to Control the Weather?
- WorldChanging Team Chinese scientists claim to be able to control the weather. But is so-called geoengineering more than wishful thinking? And, if so, should we be... [?]
- Walk Score Adds Transit
- Clark Williams-DerryPopular walkability ranking now includes bus stops and rail stations. Walk Score, which has become the most widely-used measure of pedestrian friendly neighborhoods in North... [?]
- Interview with Rajendra Pachauri: Amid Mounting Pessimism A Voice of Hope for Copenhagen
- Yale Environment 360 With skepticism growing about the chances of reaching a climate agreement next month in Copenhagen, Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate... [?]
- New Study: Changes to Economic Policy Necessary for Switch to Low-Carbon Economy
- Joe Rommby Bill Becker New Study: Changes to Economic Policy Necessary for Switch to Low-Carbon Economy In case we need more evidence that an urgent economic... [?]
- The Future of Environmental Law Mapping
- WorldChanging TeamBy Laurent Granier Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and mapping offer great opportunities for the transfer of legal data from books to maps. GIS applications have... [?]
- Smart, Cheap Stormwater Fixes
- WorldChanging Team By Lisa Stiffler Stormwater -- the rainwater that streams off roofs, parking lots, roads, and yards, carrying with it toxic pollutants -- poses a... [?]
- CFCM Show and Tell: Making Change
- Ethan ZuckermanRyan Toole is designing a platform called Red Ink, a tool designed to enable secure, collective financial action. He points out that there are existing... [?]
- Buffett's Bet on Rail: What Does It Mean for Transport and Energy?
- WorldChanging Team by Elana Schor The financial world was riveted this morning by billionaire investor Warren Buffett's move to take full ownership of the Burlington Northern... [?]
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Source: Worldchanging.org
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ecofabulous
ecofabulous - sexy sustainable stuff!
- Turning Oldies into Goodies: A Kijiji Cabinet Conversion
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By ecofabulous founder, Zem Joaquin. Presented by The eBay Green Team. I can get obsessed with my eBay searches but when stalking furniture, keeping it local is best (no shipping charges and less fuel needed to transport). Kijiji, eBay’s local classified site, makes it simple to search for listings in my area and meet up with the seller to view the furniture in person.
I found this well-crafted cabinet for $35 about 40 miles from my house. It was well worth the drive to find out that it was handmade by the seller’s father. The piece needed a little TLC but the craftsmanship is excellent – it’s made of solid wood, and I love the original brass hardware. What a steal! Here are the steps I took to convert the cabinet into something fresh and beautiful, while still keeping it’s original charm:  | Step 1: Prepare the Piece & Surrounding Area
I removed the doors and hardware – I originally thought that I might have to change out the pulls, but I realized they were solid brass and could easily be revived!. Laying down a drop cloth, I cleared a surface to prepare to strip the original stain. |  | Step 2: Strip the Original Stain Using an eco-friendly stripper, I applied the material with a paint brush, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently scraped off the stripper with a flat-edge scraper (sometimes called a putty knife). Depending on the original material, you might need two coats of stripper. I wiped off any remaining residue with a cloth and then let the surface dry fully. |  | Step 3: Sanding the Wood After the wood was completely dry, it was time for a little good old fashioned elbow grease. I sanded the entire piece to achieve an even surface and to take off the last remnants of the previous stain. I started with a higher grit sandpaper (like 80) and finished with a fine grit (like 220). |  | Step 4: The First Coat of Stain
Before applying the first coat of wood stain, I wiped off the entire piece with a dry rag (I like using old, damaged shirts) to make sure that the surface was free of any dust and particles that might get under the stain and create blemishes. I applied the stain (a non-toxic, soy-based product) with a sponge roller and then wiped off the excess with another rag. |  | Step 5: The Second Coat of Stain After 24 hours I applied the second coat of stain, but this time with a brush, using full, even strokes – you want to make sure that you don’t leave any streaks or splotches. |  | Step 6: Reviving the Brass Hardware
While the second coat was drying I set to work on the brass hardware. Using a fine grit sandpaper (220) I was able to sand off all the tarnish to leave a sleek, brushed-metal look. This method is less toxic than using a chemical polisher and I love the textured effect. |  | Step 7: The Final Gloss Coat After another 24 hours, I brushed on a low-VOC, water-based lacquer – again, make sure to use full, even strokes so that you don’t have any inconsistencies. The lacquer comes out looking milky, but don’t worry – it dries clear (think Elmer’s glue). |  | Step 8: Reassemble & Admire the Job! Once everything was dry I attached the original hardware back on and voila! Instant upgrade. Ok, not so instant – but an upgrade that was definitely cost-effective and rewarding! The natural wood surface is glowing. I love the warmth of the color and the overall style. It went from mediocre to magnificent with a total cost of $70! |  - The ecofabulous Lounge at Opportunity Green ‘09!
We’re headed down to LA today to set up The ecofabulous Lounge exhibit at the Opportunity Green Conference - a premier conference that brings together leading companies and visionaries in technology, design, media, and more to showcase the hottest opportunities for driving profitability through sustainability. The lounge will be a space for the high level Fortune 500 executives and innovators attending to network, share information, and take respite from the hustle and bustle of conference activities. Featuring mini spa treatments from ARCONA, the latest in sustainable fashion from Vie Bungalow, The ecofabulous Lounge will give attendees a first-hand opportunity to experience cutting edge stylish and environmentally responsible furniture. We’ve teamed up with Ekla Home to create a space that’s truly ecofabulous! Zem will be also speaking on Saturday with Yves Bahar, Founder of fuseproject and Julie Gilhart, SVP, Fashion Director at Barney’s about innovation in fashion and the trends and counter-trends in the apparel industry. If you’re in the LA area and haven’t bought a ticket, there are still a few available, but they’re almost sold out so make sure to get in quick! Continue to stay tuned as we’ll be tweeting and sending video feed live to our Lounge micro-site - or just follow @zem and @ecofabulous, #OG09. [?]- Turning Oldies into Goodies: Transformed Phone Bench
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By ecofabulous founder, Zem Joaquin. Presented by The eBay Green Team. I love buying vintage furniture and adding new life to a piece that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. eBay and their local classifieds site, Kijiji, both have millions of great treasures that, with a little TLC, can be turned into something totally unique and fabulous. Now the eBay Green Team brings together thousands of eBay users who are shopping pre-owned not only because it’s chic and affordable, but because they know that the greenest product is the one that already exists. The eBay Green Team asked me to do a few DIY furniture make-overs from pieces I bought off eBay and Kijiji in order to get you inspired to create your own. From November 4-19 the eBay Green Team will be accepting DIY entries for a chance to win a $1,000 eco shopping experience on eBay and a 2 hour eco consultation with me. So check out my video below, stay tuned for more DIY “Turning Oldies into Goodies” post in the coming weeks, and get started on a project of your own! Click here to view the embedded video. I bought this telephone bench off eBay for $75. My vision was to create a fun but sophisticated piece for my daughter’s room. She has a little jungle in her room, so I chose a gorgeous organic cotton fabric from Rubie Green to echo the animal print theme. 
Here are the steps I took to transform the telephone bench into something a little more modern:  | Step 1: Remove the Seat
I unscrewed the bottom of the seat and popped it out, setting is aside for later. First, I needed to address the wood. |  | Step 2: Sand to Prepare the Wood Surface Using a buffer pad, I lightly sanded all of the wood. Since I’d decided to paint the piece black I didn’t need to labor too long, 20 minutes was plenty. Just needed to make it smooth and rub out any minor inconsistencies and it takes off any discoloration as well as opens up the grain of the wood so that the new coat will apply well. |  | Step 3: Apply the Primer As you see in the video, I chose to rent a power sprayer (about $60 for the day) for this piece because there are so many angles and curves and I wanted to get a nice, even coat… and it makes everything go much faster. When you use the sprayer, hold the nozzle about one foot away from the surface and use even, fan-like motions, back and forth. I had the paint shop tint my low-VOC primer gray so that I wouldn’t have to use as many coats of black paint. |  | Step 4: The First Coat of Paint
After the primer is completely dry (usually 24 hours, but you can sometimes speed this up with the use of a blow dryer), it’s time to paint. First, I lightly sanded the primed wood to smooth out any dried drips or unevenness and to get the surface ready to receive the paint. My paint is virtually free of VOC’s. VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) are what give paint that toxic smell, so it’s best to try to avoid them all together. I applied the paint in the same way as the primer, keeping the power sprayer slow and steady, back and forth. |  | Step 5: A Second Coat of Paint After another 24 hours (or however long it takes for the coat to dry), I applied another coat of paint. You can continue to apply paint until you have the desired depth of color – I only needed two coats since my primer was tinted. |  | Step 6: Reupholster the Seat
First, I removed the staples on the back with a slotted screwdriver and pliers. If you want to replace the cushion, make sure to choose from one of the many sustainable options (organic cotton, organic wool, natural tapped rubber). NearSea Naturals is a great online resource for eco-friendly batting and stuffing, or you can order custom-cut 100% natural latex cushions from foamorder.com (scroll down to the bottom of the page). Next, I laid out the fabric to make sure it was smooth – you can use an iron or steamer to eliminate any creases. I used the old seat as a template to cut a piece of the same size from the new fabric, paying attention to where I wanted the pattern to line up on the seat. I placed the fabric on the cushion and pulled taut. I then used a staple gun to fasten the fabric to the back of the seat. Make sure to fold the fabric neatly around the corners (think of a hospital bed corner) and use plenty of staples. |  | Step 7: The Final Gloss Coat Using a low-VOC, water-based lacquer I brushed on a final clear glossy coat. Don’t worry if it looks milky when you first apply it, it dries clear (think Elmer’s glue). Make sure the paint is completely dry before this final coat so as not to cause any bubbling under the surface. This coat can be reapplied multiple times for a glass-like finish. |  | Step 8: Reassemble & Admire the Job! The final step was to place the seat back on the bench and fasten with the original screws. Ta-da! The transformation was incredible, it completely elevated the style of the telephone bench. My daughter loves it, and the black color will work with anything – even if she wants to change the fabric down the road. The completed project cost just over $200 but it’s personalized, totally eco, and stylized enough to sell for a pretty penny. Plus, I have extra fabric left over! Just enough for a pillow… but that is for another post! |  - Back to Basics
If getting back to basics means getting a chance to build and create custom furniture made from a revolutionary new material, then sign us up! Way Basics eco-friendly modular furniture line is taking the industry by storm using their patented zBoard, made of 99% recycled paper (the other 1% is the final new veneer sheet). Available in a multitude of bright colors, as well as light and dark wood-grains, the furniture requires no tools or hardware to assemble so kids can even join in on the building of their shelves. The trick? Industrial strength tape adheres the pieces together, and while the boards are 62% lighter than particle board, they’re just as strong! A founding member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, Way Basics works with furniture banks around the country to provide household furnishings to those in need – with the ultimate goal to make it easy and fun to build sustainable furniture that fits real life and improve the planet at the same time. Come see Way Basics furniture in The ecofabulous Lounge at The Opportunity Green Conference in Los Angeles this weekend! Or stay tuned for pics from the event! [?]- Healthy Child Healthy World Gala
Last week in Santa Monica, CA at the LEED-certified Montage in Beverly Hills, guests like Sheryl Crow, Jessica Capshaw, Amy Smart, Ricki Lake, Jane Kaczmarek, Anna Getty and Arianna Huffington showed up to the Healthy Child Healthy World gala to support the national non-profit in its fight for children’s environmental health. As an active board member of Healthy Child Healthy World, ecofabulous founder Zem Joaquin, knows of the impact the group has had to inspire and educate parents, protect children from needless harm and create a healthier environment for us all. The gala honored three “Champions of Children’s Health” and announced 2009’s “Mom on a Mission,” Shelby Rodriguez, who was recognized for her work in halting a roof-tarring project that was polluting the air to dangerous levels for herself and her then three-year old daughter in Antelope, CA. Earlier this year the the educational collaboration between WebMD and Healthy Child Healthy World finally came to fruition and the Health eHome was launched! Peruse the videos, articles and tips in each room to find out what you can do to make your home a healthy haven for you and your loved ones. *Photo credit: Amy Tierney/WireImage.com [?]- A Treat for Your Seat
EKLA HOME has transformed the practice of furniture manufacturing by removing dangerous toxins from their practice. Few companies producing furniture in the United States follow as strict a set of sustainability practices at each step of the manufacturing process, but EKLA HOME certainly is one of them. Their eco-conscious mandate results in healthful practices for you, their craftspeople and the earth. Their line beautifully combines FSC Certified Poplar, natural rubber, 100% organic cotton grown and milled in the United States, Low VOC stains, and non-toxic water-based glues to create timeless pieces designed to last a lifetime. EKLA HOME brings peace of mind to every piece you have in mind. [?]- Laser Focused
Laser-cut products are all the rage these days – from art, to rugs, to metal sculptures and jewelry. But cool as the designs may be, we only get elated over these technological breakthroughs when ensured that they are using their innovation for good (design, that is). We’ve had our eye on molly m jewelry for some time now – the intricate detailing and fresh structured style adds interest to any drab outfit. But the development of her new botanicals line is what made us jump for sustainable joy. Inspired “by botanical forms in Molly’s mom’s garden, the onset of autumn in Berkeley, and plant anatomy and morphology,” the collection is made with eco-friendly materials like bamboo veneer, recycled suede, felt and wool (from salvaged surplus). The line is a constant reminder of nature’s innate sense of style – cattails and cellulose are so 2010, as is being environmentally conscious, baby. [?]- Wow, What a Bummer!
As an eco mom extraordinaire, your purse is stocked with the right goodies for any child need – sunblock, snacks, and a little something for entertainment. But no mom bag (or murse, for all our ecofab dads out there) is complete without eco baby wipes! Handy for all sorts of occasions, Bum Boosa Bamboo Baby Wipes are a parent’s secret pocket-weapon. The 100% biodegradable wipes are made of bamboo (a regenerative and sustainable plant) and lightly scented with natural lavender and sweet orange essential oils – both of which have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Perfect for the intended use of cleaning your little one’s bum bum, and so much more! [?]- An Acquarella Story
For a fairy tale evening, choose nailpolish fit for a princess – if you lose your shoe on the way you won’t be left showing off unsightly toes! Acquarella is free of not only the big bad guys (formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP) but also phthalates or chemical solvents of any kind. Completely water-based, non-flammable and free of toxic fumes, Acquarella Nail Polish hydrates the nail, helping to prevent nails from chipping, peeling and yellowing commonly associated with harsh conventional nail products. To top it off, Acquarella polish dries to the touch within minutes and doesn’t need a top or base coat so your nails will never have to be bare again – hello 3-minute manicure! But of course, no polish could get our ecofabulous seal of approval without a selection of hot colors. Some of our favorites include, French Kiss, Mahalo, Prissy and Plasma. [?]- The ecofab Guide to Halloween Candy
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When they ring the bell, trick-or-treaters give us two simple choices: smell my feet or give me something good to eat. Given the options, we have scoured the candy stores and organic markets to find a bevy of delicious, earth-friendly treats to offer the boos and ghouls. Read below for a list of our top ecofab picks for healthy candy – you’ll have all the neighbor kids tricked, unknowingly devouring goodies made with natural ingredients! If you’re still in search of the perfect costume, check out our recent guide for PVC-free outfits and ideas that’ll serve as dress up fun long after the 31st!  | The ultimate mixed bag of natural candy comes packed in a home-compostable cellophane bag. With gummy bears, lollipops, mini gum, and a host of other organic candies, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Also great for stuffing piñatas! 1 bag of 100 pieces is $29.99. |  | For chocolate treats, try Endangered Species’ Milk Chocolate Bug Bites. Each individually wrapped square of chocolate comes with one of a set of 32 insect trading cards from Dexter Sear. Or, if you want to be remembered as the house that passes out the big bars, check out Dagoba Chocolate, which is widely available in stores. |  | These pure fun pops are purely delicious! With flavors like Go Goji Berry, Tangy Tangerine, Loony Lemon and Pure Pomegranate, they’re sure to be a hit amongst the kids – all flavored with organic brown rice syrup, organic cane juice, and colored with flavors from real fruit. Check for a list of retailers near you. |  | Glenny’s crispy, creamy brown rice marshmallow treats are a nice surprise in a bag full of hard candy. Available in Classic Vanilla, Peanut Caramel, and Chocolate – without the high fructose corn syrup (and only 100 calories per bar!). $4.99 for a box of 5. |  | Using only the best organic ingredients, this black licorice is made from a Finnish recipe dating back to the 1800’s! Available at NatureMart.com or at health food stores around the country. |  | Perfect for parties, these pre-made vegan halloween goody bags come with sour berry bears, lollipops, spicy cinnamon candy, organic dark chocolate and more. $4.99 per bag! |  | YummyEarth gummy bear packs have delicious flavors like strawberry smash, sour apple tart, and pomegranate pucker. The gummies are full of Vitamin C and have less than 90 calories per pack – delicious snacking for tricker treaters of all ages. $15.98 for a pack of 24. |  | Mini packs of all-natural, eco-friendly chewing gum provide a little refreshment for the evening. Made with sustainably harvested rainforest chicle, mini Glee Gum packs are available in packs of 80 (4 pieces to each pack) for $20. | | | [?]
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Source: Ecofabulous.com
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Hybrid cars 2 days ago by Redcane