People & Media

Toshiba Offers Free Electronics Recycling

jplatt — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:08:01 -0400

Looking for a way to get rid of your old electronics in an environmentally responsible way? Toshiba has a solution for you.

Toshiba's Digital Products Division this week expanded its free recycling program, which previously only accepted Toshiba products, to include devices from any manufacturer. They'll accept PCs, laptops, MP3 players, digital cameras, mobile phones, and a whole lot more.

What makes this program a bit different is that you have the option of turning in your old devices for cash. For example, I have an old Palm Z22 PDA lying around. According to the site, the Palm has not trade-in value, so I wouldn't get any money, but they would send me a $25 Starbucks gift card for recycling it through them. (Too bad I don't drink coffee...)

Once you decide to send a device to Toshiba, you can print out a postage-paid label to send it to their warehouse. They'll check it out, then send you a check or whatever other bonus you earned.

Of course, it's always good to know what happens to a device once you send it in for recycling. Are they taking care of it responsibly? But Toshiba at least has a solid "green" initiative, so you can feel pretty good about giving this program a try.

Earth Has No Bailout

jchatraw — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:15:00 -0400

Maybe I've watched too many action hero movies, but I truly believe one person can make an incredible difference against insurmountable odds. But if more people cared, would you really need an action hero?

Our fragile eco-system is the damsel in distress right now and is not only worth saving but her saving is vital to the rest of us who need saving as well. It's so easy to get stuck in the mindset that someone else will bail us out (Wall Street, anyone?), and it seems daunting that we can really make a difference. But if someone somewhere doesn't start, nothing will ever happen.

That's the conclusion that David C. Korten comes to in his book The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community. And while he paints an accurate bleak picture on a dark canvas, he weaves in many rays of hope, inspiring people to be that someone somewhere who starts something. He will inspire you with his words:

“It is hard to admit that we have been living a lie, as to do so seems to call into question our intelligence and integrity. Yet we are in good company, for living a lie has been a chronic affliction of most members of our species for thousands of years. Let us celebrate the awakening that is the key to breaking free from Empire’s play-or-die dynamic. …

“The momentum is building. Around the world people are organizing from the grass roots up to take back their lives, reject calls to work and violence, rebuild their local economies and communities, democratize their political institutions, and create authentic cultures.

“Most Earth Community initiatives are small and tentative. Many disappear without a trace. But hope lies in the geometric growth of their numbers, scale, and the linkages among them. Some—like the Landless Workers’ Movement in Brazil and the Green Belt Movement in Kenya—have already achieved sufficient scale to inspire people throughout the world. Millions of such initiatives give substance to a shared vision of the world that can be. The faster they grow and link, the faster the human story changes and the faster the life energy of the human species turns away from Empire and aligns with Earth Community.”

Can You Write a Cell-Phone Program That Will Save the World?

jplatt — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0400

Every generation of cell phones gets smarter, more powerful, and capable of connecting us in new and different ways. In fact, some mobile phones are so powerful they aren't even called "cell phones" anymore -- they're "smart phones."

And as Stan Lee famously said, "with great power comes great responsibility."

Nokia and inventor Dean Kamen (creator of the Segway) have teamed up to fund a contest to find the next big thing in mobile programs (called applications), with one of the categories specifically calling for eco-related apps. Winners get a $25,000 prize for the creating best new mobile applications “that enhance the use of mobile devices in real-world scenarios.”

Here are the three categories:

Eco-Challenge - "Make a Difference": Developers who submit for this category will be building tools to help people take care of the environment - from charger reminders to mobile learning applications, from navigation info to recycling tips.

Emerging Markets - "IMAGINE the Possibilities": The mission of the Emerging Markets Challenge is to open up new opportunities for developers to pioneer & monetize services impacting the daily lives of millions in developing nations. Examples include applications providing health information and data access, apps offering low-cost infotainment, SMS-driven apps that inform rural agricultural workers of the best time and place to bring products to market, as well as literacy and general education solutions.

Technology Showcase - "Developer Showdown": Open to all technologies, if it runs on S60 or Series 40, then we want to see it! Regardless if it has just been created or you have been selling it for a while, casual or commercial, we want to showcase the best of the best. Be it on Flash Lite, Java, Python, or open source. If it’s a game, enterprise solution, Web-based widget, or just a cool application that will enhance the mobile user experience, then this is the category to enter.

What do you think mobile applications can do to help make the world a better place? And can you write the next great mobile app? If so, Nokia and Dean Kamen are waiting to hear from you.

Entries are due December 15th.

How Harmful is Climate Change?

jchatraw — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:58:00 -0400

As someone who has become involved in the environmental movement, I become concerned when I listen to people passionate about the issue of climate change fail to understand the interconnectedness of our world. Without thoughtful consideration, "fixing" one problem may only result in creating many others somewhere else.

Last week, I attended the RE:FORM Conference in Boise, ID, and heard stories that both made me apprehensive about our world's future and very hopeful. Yet, it was how connected so many of our world's problems are that really gave me moment to pause and consider the implications of some green efforts.

Bjorn Lomborg's book Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist's Guide to Global Warming gives everyone reason to take a deep breath and think about the scope of environmental issues such as climate change. You may not agree with everything Lomborg writes, but it's definitely good food for thought for anyone deeply immersed in any crusade:

"The green group Earth Policy Institute, which first totaled the deaths, tells us that as “awareness of the scale of this tragedy spreads, it is likely to generate pressure to reduce carbon emissions. For many of the millions who suffered through these record heat waves and the relatives of the tens of thousands who died, cutting carbon emissions is becoming a pressing personal issue.”

"While 35,000 dead is a terrifyingly large number, all deaths should in principle be treated with equal concern. Yet this is not happening. When 2,000 people died from heat in the United Kingdom, it produced a public outcry that is still heard. However, the BBC recently ran a very quiet story telling us that deaths caused by cold weather in England and Wales for the past years have hovered around 25,000 each winter, casually adding that the winters of 1998–2000 saw about 47,000 cold deaths each year. The story then goes on to discuss how the government should make the cost of winter fuel economically bearable and how the majority of deaths are caused by strokes and heart attacks.

"It is remarkable that a single heat-death episode of 35,000 from many countries can get everyone up in arms, whereas cold deaths of 25,000 to 50,000 a year in just a single country pass almost unnoticed. Of course, we want to help avoid another 2,000 dying from heat in the United Kingdom. But presumably we also want to avoid many more dying from cold."

Calculate Your 'Water Footprint'

jplatt — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:09:44 -0400

Do you or any of your family members spend too much time in the shower? Are your toilets designed to save water? How about your faucets, are they installed with conservation in mind? How about your lawn...

Okay, let's just get to the real questions: How much water do you use on a daily basis? And how much can you conserve?

A group called H2O Conserve wants to help you answer those questions. Their new online water calculator not takes you through your direct water usage, but the water used to produce your food and other goods, to come up with what they call your Water Footprint.

It's this later side that many people don't think about. Says H2O Conserve: "Your water footprint includes other factors such as water utilized to cool power plants that provide your electricity, and water saved when you recycle. You may not drink, feel or see this water, but it makes up the great majority of your water footprint."

The water calculator is great fun, and takes about 5 minutes or less. When you're done, the site will present not only your water footprint (mine came up at over 1,000 gallons per day!), but what you can do to reduce it. The site contains dozens of great tips, any one of which can save you tens of gallons every single day.

Give it a try. You might be shocked by what you come up with.

Justin Rudd Keeps Long Beach Trash-Free

Marcus — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:08:22 -0400

For the past nine years, Justin Rudd has organized a monthly beach cleanup of the beach around Granada Avenue in Long Beach, California. On the third Saturday of every month, volunteers show up at 10 AM to comb the beach for garbage, socialize, and take part in keeping the natural beauty of their community intact. The 30-Minute Cleanup team provides trash bags, gloves, and refreshments courtesy of a variety of local sponsors. Over time, the event has grown and its popularity has blossomed, to the point that the average cleanup now boasts over 150 participants!

In order to encourage participation, Rudd decided to make the cleanups short, in order to emphasize the fun, positive aspect of the activity. And it worked. The cleanups have been growing in popularity since they first started, all the way back in June of 1999. At this point, the 30-Minute Beach Cleanups have become a widely recognized community event in the Long Beach area. In fact, Rudd recently received the Hal Albertson Volunteer of the Year Award from Keep California Beautiful, a non-profit dedicated to maintaining California’s natural beauty. While he’s honored to receive the award, Rudd plans to continue his efforts to keep his community litter-free and beautiful for years to come.

For more information on 30-Minute beach cleanups, click here.

New Rechargeable Battery Plugs Into Your Computer

jplatt — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0400

Have you already made the switch to recycleable batteries? Good, we knew that you did. We were just checking.

But here's another question: are you getting tired of carrying a battery charger with you when you travel, or searching for your charger when you need it every few months?

Moixa Energy has a solution. Their new USBCELL rechargeable batteries come with what you might call a pop top -- one end of the battery swivels off to reveal a USB plug. Just hook it into any USB port on a PC or laptop and your computer does the work of recharging the battery!

According to a recent article at GreentechMedia, there is a small cost to pay for this convenience: the USB plug takes up space that would normally hold power. As a result, the USBCELL holds 1300-1500 milliamp hours, as opposed to the 2500 in a regular nickel metal hydride battery.

Oh, one other possible inconvenience: USBCELL comes with a bit of software that could, depending on how it is configured by the manufacturer, pop up ads or energy-saving tips on your PC every time you plug the battery in.

So far, Moixa's batteries are only available in AA size. They ship from the UK, and run £10.99 for a set of 2 batteries (with delivery, that translates to $20). You can also get a "gift set" of 20 batteries for about $165.

Live Like Ed?

jchatraw — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:56:36 -0400

I can think of a hundred more enticing titles than "Living with Ed" for a TV show, but the concept is still a good one: Watch Ed Begley Jr. and his lovely wife Rachelle go green. It's a take off on his book by the same name "Live Like Ed! A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life" and is as informative as it is entertaining.

I'm a sucker for reality shows but really don't like the fact that it's always about trying to connive behind everyone else's back to move ahead in the game. But a reality show where we learn what it's like to be more green? Sign me up with soy ink on post-consumer recycled paper.

Here's a tidbit from Ed that goes beyond the recycled tips:

Recycle Your Fiber

Everyone knows they should recycle their paper & plastic, but recycling your clothes and other fiber materials can also save energy. Shirts, jackets, hats, and even carpets made from recycled materials are now available.

Charity: Water Aims to Stop Water Pollution at its Source

Marcus — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:11:35 -0400

Before founding Charity: Water in 2006, Scott Harrison was a successful club and event promoter in New York City, coordinating events for some of the biggest names in media, fashion and entertainment. Despite his success, Harrison was dissatisfied with the course his life had taken, and in 2004 he decided to volunteer aboard a floating hospital for Mercy Ships, a humanitarian organization which offered free medical care in some of the world’s poorest nations. Completely transformed by his experience abroad, Harrison founded Charity: Water upon returning to New York, and has devoted his life to the cause ever since, never pausing to look back at his former life of exclusive parties and nightclubs.

In the two years since its inception, Charity: Water has blossomed, and is now responsible for installing drinking wells in communities in need across the globe. Each well costs between $4,000-12,000 to install, and Charity: Water donates 100% of the money it raises to direct project costs based on greatest need, and through events and fundraising exhibitions that promote public awareness. At the moment, one in six people on the planet do not have access to clean drinking water, and Charity: Water’s mission is to change this statistic by bringing clean water to the people who need it the most.

For just $20, you can provide a person in Africa with clean water for 20 years. Help Charity: Water bring clean water to the world’s developing countries by donating here.

Lenovo Introduces Six New Green Computer Monitors

jplatt — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0400

Lenovo this week announced six new energy-efficient computer monitors in its ThinkVision product line.

The LCD monitors, which go on sale soon, have a fairly wide range of environmental innovations. All use various techniques to reduce their power consumption by 30-60%. The monitors are also EPEAT Gold rated and GREENGUARD certified, according to the company, and some are packaged in 65% recycled materials.

On the low end of these new monitors, Lenovo's new L1700p (available next week at $239.99) uses 30% less power and 50% less mercury compared to other models on the market. On the higher end, the L2440x (available soon at $749.99) will actually be made without mercury, a real step forward for LCD screens.

The L2440x news doesn't stop there: it will use LED backlighting to further reduce its energy use, down to just 29 watts. Wow.

Some of these models are already available from Lenovo's web store. Check 'em out.