Japanese carmakers, Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. are still going green. All the while, GM and America’s car makers have their hands out.

In separate events -

Nissan announced it was redesigning its Cube subcompact in hopes of moving in on the Japanese fetish for small cars that save on the miles. Nissan will sell the car around the world, not just in Japan as before. North America will see the car in spring of ‘09 ad Europe will see their version later in the year. The price – $14,000ish.

Meanwhile – Honda is debuting a gas-saving drive support system for its hybrid Insight coming out next spring also. With the flip of a switch, the driver can:

1. switch to Econ mode to ease the burden on the engine,
2. extend the time of the “idling stop,” which halts the engine when the vehicle stops,
3. incorporate a function that turns down the air conditioning,
4. boost the efficiency of “regeneration”.

The Insight’s speedometer will indicate fuel conservation – green for high efficiency and blue for high fuel consumption. Problem that those in Japan can identify with – blue is green.

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41pounds.org stops junk mail and saves the planet.

1. Who they are -41pounds.org is a nonprofit organization wanting to eliminate a big personal nuisance and environmental hazard — junk mail.
2. Why they’re here -41pounds.org was started because of being overwhelmed with unwanted and wasteful junk mail.
3. What they do -Sign individual up, contact 20 to 30 direct mail companies to stop the majority of bulk mail that comes every day.
4. What it means -Raised thousands of dollars for important programs to reduce the impact of junk mail on the planet and our daily lives.

41pounds.org is saving time, saving trees and saving the planet. But can 41pounds.org stop the credit card companies, too? How about 41pounds.org for a Christmas present?

Image courtesy of kahunapulej

The fabulous New York Times building continues to be known for its brilliant green features and great energy saving campaign. Once an energy-guzzling media fort, the building has now turned into a green hub from where we not only get news, views and reviews, but also reduction in carbon emissions and power consumption.

The Times Company has installed Lutron’s Quantum management solution that includes daylight, occupant, target set point, time clock, and emergency lighting controls, which allowed them to save [!!!pdf] a staggering $315,500 annually in terms of electricity bills and has cut carbon emissions by a good 1,250 metric tons each year.

All these figures stem from the fact that the energy consumption has been cut down to 0.38 watts per square feet of lighting power from the earlier 1.28 watts, by using better techniques of daylight harvesting, occupancy sensing, light intensity control and scheduling.

With all these changes, the Times worried about glare control and employees comfort, but it seems like it worked out just fine, don’t you think? – via BusinessWire

Photo credits: Nic Lehoux

The current economic recession that is taking over the planet could see the story of the electric car turn from a fairytale comeback into a haunting curse, as car makers and automobile industry is experiencing its worst period ever in 25 years. With companies like GM standing in queue for a bailout, it seems that the green cars line-up that is being lead by the Volt might roll back from their scheduled deadline in 2010.

GM's 2011 Chevrolet Volt production show car

It was in the beginning of last century that fossil fuel put the electric car out of business and into museums and it seems that almost exactly 100 years down the line the revival will be killed by economic downfall.

The curse of the electric car seems to be haunting the greener vehicle as marquee projects such as GM’s Volt could be put on hold if the congress decides not to bail the automobile industry out of the present cash crisis. GM has put everything behind the Volt and so have many other companies with their smaller electric cars scheduled to hit the roads in next few years.

While some see the crisis as a potential plague for electric cars, others believe that this would force automobile industry to quickly and completely go green. In fact, some experts claim that the current situation would have never cropped up if car makers switched to greener alternatives 10 years earlier, when the first signs in that direction were clearly out on view.

Irrespective of Congress’ decision and the status of cars like Volt, one hopes that this time around, the electric cars are here to stay as the ailing planet desperately needs them. Meanwhile, should we just let Detroit go down?

Source: Reuters

Most of the RVs out there are arguably the worst things to happen to the planet in terms of both efficiency and carbon emissions.

But unlike those, the Verdier Solar-Powered Eco-RV is quite a simple and stunning green carrier as it mixes design, solar energy and some sort of lavish luxury. Five models dubbed Woody, Geeky, Ebony, Blueberry, and Purity, are being powered by a 4-cylinder hybrid engine and have a 170 W solar system installed on the roof.

Verdier’s solar RV allows you to change the direction of the panels on top of the carrier according to sun’s direction using a GPS system. Another interesting thing is the interior. Built to use the available space to the maximum, there are fold-out beds, rolled-up stairs, kitchen, recycling bins, a refrigerator/freezer combo and an on-board entertainment center with projector, surround sound and a roll down screen.

There is also an on-board computer to make sure that you stay connected while on the road as you can use it for tasks ranging from navigation, to Internet browsing to music and entertainment. With a price of $129,000 the solar-powered eco-RV is really a great “bargain” (not for you) for the planet. – via Jetson Green

It seems ironic and even startling to an extent when one gets to know that the paper industry across the world produces three times more carbon emissions than aviation industry.

It might be a touch unbelievable, but if you consider the fact that thousands of acres of trees are mowed down for paper and that subsequently only adds to carbon footprint, this is not all that surprising.

In the wake of UK formation of organizations such as Shrink which are asking people to reduce their paper consumption by 50% in UK and French supremo Sarkozy following the path, it only is fair that the entire planet takes up the cause as well.

Those who often calculate the carbon footprint left over by the paper industry, forget to add in the number of trees that have been chopped down for the wood. These reduced number of trees automatically means greater pollution.

According to a survey conducted by Xerox, 45% of all paper used by employees in firms reaches the dustbin. This, along with all the junk mail that we get further adds to wastage in paper. It is easy to look past something that we consider such an integral part of our life and waste it callously while it could still cause plenty of damage to the planet.

Using paper judiciously and reducing its wastage can easily help conserve more trees and also cut down on the whole carbon footprint. Many paper plantations are already highly contentious, especially in developing nations. By not printing stuff that we do not really need and by using recycled paper as often as we can, we can indeed help cut down on the staggering figures that are in front of us today.

Remember that every time you save a sheet of paper, you are adding something meaningful to the planet.

Source: The Guardian
Image courtesy of Deibu

No matter what people tell you, one of the best ways to go green is by cycling around the neighborhood whenever possible instead of using your car for every short ride. If you happen to be a fitness freak, then you will also find this as a great way to keep fit and enjoy your ride as you go along.

But with winters and snow at the door, cycling your way across damp and snow-covered roads can be quite a hazard at times. Here are four simple ways to keep safe and travel “green” this winter.

1. Strap your helmet on and dazzle up your bike lights

Safety is the first thing that must be on your mind when going out on your bicycle this winter and on the soggy and slippery roads, you could easily lose grip. Always put on helmet and maybe even shin pads and make sure your head and tail lights are bright and visible. Put reflective tape on your outer clothes, your bags, and your helmet. More visibility means safety from a car that otherwise could run over you when you are down on the road.

2. Respect nature and stay away from frostbite

Even the most experienced adventurers will tell you that you must respect nature. If conditions out there are not safe for you, then stop your trip or slow down. Allow for the extra time that it might take and always be sure to guard against frostbite. Never rush into warmer conditions from cold ones as the cold blood then can rush back to your heart and create a severe problem.

3. Dress to kill the chill (winter bike riding outfit)

Dress in the best way you can to keep out the cold. A cap under the helmet, layers of clothing and good gloves will help you a great deal. Also carry a raincoat in case you think it can get wet. Sweating inside the layers can be still dangerous as moisture is not your friend. Keep warm and dry.

4. Learn the skill to drive on damp conditions

It is one thing to drive on a dry road and a totally different ball game when it comes to wet conditions. Use tires that are broader than normal and with deeper groves and slightly deflated to counteract the dampness. It takes a special skill to drive on the wet track. (Ask Michael Schumacher, if you have any doubts about that).

Using your bicycle for that perfect ride this winter will not be that difficult and will be a lot safer if you keep these things in mind.

Image courtesy of Mikey G Ottawa

Architect Alexander Asadov has created a superb amalgamation of futuristic space-age design and a green hub that preserves nature’s most delicate ecosystems.

Looking like something that is decades ahead of its time, the floating Aerohotel is a man-made structure that hovers over water bodies like an artificial island, that will house public spaces, gardens, hotels and other commercial spaces without being a hindrance to nature’s own process.

However, the most important thing is that such a structure leaves the entire ecosystem and marine life underneath its colossal frame, untouched by human activity. That’s because it stands on a interlacing network of supports anchored by three arms that stretch to the bottom of its site.

With the way the planet is warming and the rate at which the poles are melting, it may be not very long before we live on such islands. Is it? – via Inhabitat

Mt. Takadake is in the Aso volcano zone of Kumamoto Prefecture on the southern most island of Kyushu, one of Japan’s four main islands, but not ALL of Japan’s island.

The mountain was found snowcapped Tuesday. The Kyushu region had its first snow of the season says the Kumamoto local meteorological observatory. The snow on the 1,592 meter (5,250′) peak came one day later than average but 16 days earlier than last year.

Light rain in the Aso area turned to snow early Tuesday morning because of a stream of cold air. And this happened on Japan’s southernmost main island, you know, where it’s warmer and such. The temperature in the area stood at 3.2 C at 4:04 a.m. However, it started falling and marked minus 0.5 C at 12:32 p.m. just cold enough to snow.

Global cooling? Of course, we can’t say so from one isolated incident such as this. But, to be sure, we only hear about when it’s warmer, not when it’s cooler than usual. How about a balanced hearing, eh?

Image courtesy of morygonzalez

Without any fanfare it’s no longer global warming, well not as often anyway, but climate change. No matter. Real estate assets in California are said to be at risk to extreme weather events, sea level rise, wild fires and such, to the tune of $2.5 trillion.

A group of researchers in UC Berkeley are the first to quantify the costs of the globe’s warming. The final number depends on whether the nation commits to slashing greenhouse gas emissions says the report. How the whole nation will affect California, the report doesn’t say, but mentions that “Our report makes clear the most expensive thing we can do about climate change is nothing.”

The group is now “busy planning a comprehensive ‘Climate Adaptation Strategy’ to commit the state to concrete prevention measures, according to the paper.” Six task forces will be formed, biodiversity and habitat, infrastructure, oceans and coastal resources, public health, water, forestry and agriculture, and each will have an adaptation strategy.

California’s goal is to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 15% from today’s levels. And, they want me to pay for it. My bet is when they find out what doesn’t work, these fellows will leave the state and let those of us who remain foot the bill. Save the Puffins!

Image courtesy of Kevin