Turning down the world’s temperature: A job for a fake tree? A boat?

Special to The Washington Post
Monday, November 29, 2010; 6:41 PM

In case you haven’t heard, the Earth is getting hotter, and most scientists blame mankind. The average global temperature has risen 1.3 degrees in the last century, and the future might be quite a bit warmer. As international climate negotiators convene in Cancun, Mexico, this week, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is projecting that the temperature could rise as many as 10 degrees more by the year 2100 if we do nothing to stop it.

link to full article

eco-artware.com

Eco-Artware.com is a web-based gallery of unique, well-made and environmentally friendly gifts. Our natural and recycled products are eco-friendly and sustainable.

Carrots flying out of vending machines

Will redesigning the way ‘health foods’ are packaged encourage better eating habits?

“Getting kids to eat their veggies is a challenge even when they’re little and you can keep an eye on them at home. Once they get older — into high school, say — and can pick and choose what they eat? Forget it.”

Carrots flying out of vending machines in Ohio | Marketplace From American Public Media.

beBLUU™ filtered water bottles – filtered, reusable, recyclable, BPA Free

beBLUU™ filtered water bottles – filtered, reusable, recyclable, BPA Free.

Hydroponics Vegetable & Herb Gardens & Seed Kits

Indoor Hydroponics Vegetable & Herb Garden Systems Grow Greens 5 Times Faster Than Soil.

The AeroGarden lets you grow organic-based plants inside your home at any time of the year. This kit comes with everything you’ll need to get started, including a gourmet herbs seed kit that can produce herb harvests for up to four months. Growing fresh vegetables and herbs at home not only saves money, it also ensures that your greens will be as fresh and nutritious as possible.

http://www.earthtechproducts.com/hydroponics-vegetable—herb-garden.html

Amazon Tries to Cut Frustration Over Packaging

“For nearly two years, Amazon has been trying to get manufacturers to adopt “frustration-free packaging” that gets rid of plastic cases and air-bubble wrap — major irritants for consumers and one of Amazon’s biggest sources of customer complaints.”

“For brick and mortar retailers, traditional packaging remains popular because it can help deter theft. But in Web shopping, there is general agreement that the alternative packaging is a hit with consumers, and that it is simple for packaging companies to create. It is also environmentally friendly, using recycled and recyclable cardboard rather than plastic and wire ties, quicker to produce than the retail packaging and costs less.”

“With this project, though, AllpakTrojan could use a single material, and it went through a machine just once instead of the two to three times required for the traditional package. “From design to finish, it’s as efficient as it gets,” he said.”

Amazon Tries to Cut Frustration Over Packaging – NYTimes.com.

FiveFingers footwear

FiveFingers footwear connects you to the earth and your surroundings in a way that is simply not possible in conventional shoes. It puts you in touch with the earth beneath your feet and liberates you to move in a more natural, healthy way. FiveFingers stimulate the muscles in your feet and lower legs to build strength and improve range of motion. Our customers report an increased sense of balance, greater agility, and visibly improved posture.

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/index.htm

Designing a feel good flip flop

While school may have started, astronomically speaking – it is still summer! And besides, in my book, flip flops are fair game until there is snow on the ground.

Okabashi have designed a sandal thats better for your health, better for the environment, and socially responsible.

Good for you: Only shoe endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association, and anti-microbial.

Good for the planet: Vegan friendly, 100% recyclable, zero waste facility, less travel to consumer

No sweat: Produced in Buford, Georgia they are part of the 1-2% of shoes in American that were made in the USA.

Taking ‘good design’ one step further, Okabashi also realized there was a market potential for a more ‘fashion focused’ version and launched Oka B.

Information  from http://www.okabashi.com Images from here.