Latest Columns

We Didn't Start the Fire

Max — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:20:45 -0500

Although humans have taught themselves to be very good at putting out fires, we have always been far better at starting them. Just in the United States, for example, 1.6 million fires were started in 2006, resulting in more than 3 thousand deaths and roughly 16 thousand injuries. Occasionally, we have the terrible misfortune of starting these fires along coal seams, where the coal catches fire, often exceeding temperatures of 1000 °F.

How Do You Like Them Apples? Green?

DoeJec — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:36:19 -0500

San Francisco based Outlaw Consulting recently surveyed 100 Gen Y 'trendsetters' (aka cool folks from 21-29 years old) in Miami, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, asking what brands they perceived to be the most eco-friendly. Here’s the 15-deep list:

Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Toyota, Honda, Google, Aveda, Zipcar, American Apparel, Ikea, 7th Generation, Apple, the Body Shop, Starbucks, Netflix and Method.

The Shape of Your Glass

atritman — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:18:46 -0500

There are many different sized wine glasses out there--like flutes, bowls, saucers, goblets. But what exactly is the purpose of all these glasses? Many a wine connoisseur will tell you that size and shape can enhance the smell, taste, and overall experience one has with a wine.

Biodegradable cups and cutlery

DoeJec — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:47:20 -0500

Disposable cutlery and cups make me cringe. Just thinking about petroleum-based plastics living much longer and (hopefully) less fulfilling lives than me is troubling.

Enter corn-, potato-, and other food-based disposable cutlery: a seemingly logical replacement to a petrol-based plastic disposable product.

Man-made Whitewater Courses

JimmyB — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:45:12 -0500

Going rafting and going green: a match made in eco-heaven?

People who enjoy outdoor recreation and revere nature are typically some of the first to promote the adoption of green lifestyles. Human powered sports, such as whitewater rafting and kayaking, typify this "use your own motor" mentality, which at first glance would suggest a smaller-than-average carbon footprint.