Mother’s Day is not especially green. It’s more likely to be dipped in red roses and served with bright yellow potato
salad. It could be heralded with pink carnations or homemade orange juice. If it’s forgotten, it’s draped in the blues. It’s almost everything but green. But it could be green, and it should be. Who better than the gardener of human capital, to receive gifts that pay it forward?
Tags: · Austin, bird houses, Frisco, garden goods, hand soap, Mom's Day, Mother's Day, Mrs. Meyers, recycled goods, Starbucks, upcycled, vintage clothing
Image: H2Orange.com
Tags: · Austin, bottle water waste, Bottled Water, H2Orange, H2Orange bottled water, H2Orange tower bottle, Jim Walker, plastic bottle University of Texas, Plastic bottles, plastic bottles environmental impact, Recycle & Reuse, recycling University of Texas, sustainability, sustainability at the University of Texas, Univeristy of Texas, University of Texas H2Orange
Ford Motor Company announced it will partnering with Coulomb Technologies to provide free in-home charging stations for some of the automaker’s first electric vehicle customers under the Ford Blue Oval ChargePoint Program.
Tags: · Austin, Coulomb Technologies, Detroit, electric vehicle, EVs, Ford Blue Oval ChargePoint Program, Ford Motor Company, Ford Transit Connect Electric vehicle, in-home charging stations, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Redmond Wash., Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington D.C.
Bicyclist (Photo: Savo Ilic/dreamstime)
Tags: · Austin, Austin 3-1-1 plan, Bicycle Month, Bike Friendly Community, Boulder, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, California, Davis, League of American Bicyclists, League of Bicycling Voters, National Complete Streets Coalition, Oregon, Portland, Ride to Work
From Green Right Now Reports
Thousands of events will commemorate this 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. In the U.S., many gatherings will focus on making environmental progress by cleaning up a wildlife area or prepping a community garden. Some cities will host festivals, with info booths and giveaways, live music and food.
In Washington D.C., a rally on the National Mall on April 25 aims to show broad support for climate legislation, which has been stalled in the Senate. Speakers will include the Reverend Jesse Jackson; film director James Cameron; AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka; Olympic gold medalist Billy Demong; producer Trudie Styler; author Margaret Atwood and others. Performers will include Sting, John Legend, The Roots, Passion Pit, Bob Weir, Patrick Stump, Mavis Staples, Q-Tip, Booker T and others
Tags: · Austin, Berkeley, Boulder, Chicago, Denver, Earth Day at the National Mall, Earth Day events, Houston, James Cameron, Jesse Jackson, John Legend, LA Earth Day, Los Angeles, Margaret Atwood, New York City, New York City Earth Day, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Earth Day, San Francisco, Sting, Washington D.C. Earth Day, Washington D.C. Earth Day Rally
Tags: · Austin, Green, Green news, Sustainability news
From Green Right Now Reports
The Department of Energy announced $10 million has been awarded to 16 cities for 40 new Solar America Cities Special Projects. The funds, made through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will enable the cities to increase solar energy use in their communities through innovative programs and policies that the government believes can be replicated across the nation.
The cities chosen for these awards came from the group of 25 large U.S. cities that are part of the DOE’s Solar America Cities program, which recognizes the participating cities as partners highly committed to solar technology adoption at the local level. Those cities already have been given millions of dollars in funds and technical assistance to accelerate solar adoption.
Tags: · Austin, Berkeley, Boston, Department of Energy, Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York City, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Seattle, Solar America Cities Special Projects, Tucson
Reported by Susan Vessell KEYE (AUSTIN) — New restaurants, bars, office and residential buildings and parking garages are transforming downtown Austin every day. With all these new structures come new rooftops. While most of us would think of a roof just being a roof, others see potential beauty. Austin company turning roofs green… literally The [...]
Tags: · Austin, Eleanor McKinney, KEYE, The Quarters at Sterling House
By Harriet Blake
Green Right Now
One or two of the seven dwarfs would enjoy these houses, but certainly not all of them, and forget about Snow White. In Peter Pan, the lost boys made such a house for Wendy. And when Alice landed in Wonderland, she too experienced the tiny house phenomenon.
So, now in 2009, what’s the appeal of a home that ranges 100 to 800 square feet? Is there a market for them? Are people really downsizing to this level?
The economy may be one factor, but most folks who are attracted to these miniature homes are seeking a simpler, scaled down lifestyle –one that is kinder to the environment. Such a home uses less energy and takes advantage of renewable resources.
Tags: · Austin, Boston, Brad Kittel, California, Carbon footprint, Jay Schafer, PlaceTailor Inc., Pratt House, Texas, Tiny Texas Houses, Tumbleweed Tiny Houses, U.S. Green Building Council
What I do:I am fortunate to have experienced a “calling” or vocation, and I have been a baker most all of my adult life, except for a brief three years working in Mexico in agriculture. When I was 20 I went through a baker’s apprenticeship in Hanover, Germany, and I have been fascinated by the magic of turning simple ingredients like flour, water, salt and yeast into something deliciously edible. My lifelong interest has been whole grains, and this is my second bakery. Here at Dr. Kracker we concentrate on organic whole grain and whole seed flatbread crackers that are not only over-the-top great tasting but also good for you!
Tags: · Austin, crackers, Dr. Kracker, flatbreads, George Eckrich, natural food company, Organic Food, whole grains
By Shermakaye Bass
Green Right Now
Earth Day isn’t just a date on the calendar or an annual do-good commitment; it’s a way of life, a state of mind, a mission even – and certainly an intention. The date itself, April 22, merely reminds us that, January through December, all days should be “earth days” in our respective, collective communities.
You know this is true when mainstream news giants like Time magazine feature cover stories declaring the eminent demise of millions of species. Climate change is real, and potentially catastrophic. Still, there are loads of things we can do to stem climate change, or even help reverse it. Which is why each year Earth Day gathers more meaning and momentum, urging us to expand our green consciousness to 365 days a year.
Eva Radke, founder of Film Biz Recycling in New York City – a nonprofit committed to greening the film industry – grasps that idea.
Tags: · Austin, bicycling, Community Gardens, Community-supported agriculture, Earth Day, Film Biz Recycling, Sacramento, tree planting
From Green Right Now Reports
Daimler has announced it will bring its car2go mobility concept to the U.S. by fall of this year. The first international pilot will start in Austin with an initial fleet of about 200 fuel-efficient smart fortwo cars.
Tags: · Austin, car2go, Daimler, KVUE, smart fortwo
Barbara Kessler
Andrew Winston
Danielle Nierenberg
Anthony Swift