Seven Planet

Last night with John of seven planet and Tim of Tropical Salvage a few of us went and toured the new “seven planet HOUSE” (as pictured below) in SE Portland. Our current project: use this house as a marketing/educational/experimental tool – from the design of it to the infrastructure build, our goal is to make this home’s construction and maintenance and future operation as sustainable/mindful as possible.

The owners of the home have invited us at seven planet to use their dwelling spot as our first test subject- indeed it should be a good learning experience for both parties. In time, we hope to eventually replicate the sustainable practices we implement (at their home) in other shelters across the world. They have a practical need? Ideally we can fill it with a responsible answer as over the course of this project, we are going to be assessing and hopefully improving every aspect of their residence; everything from their lawn, to garden, to food and snacks, to lighting, to cleaning supplies, to furniture, to composting, to carpeting, to heat, to interior aesthetic, etc *we’d love your feedback on this btw!!!

We’d like to provide them the works – a total sustainable makeover of sorts. This picture reel is one of many to come – I will be posting new albums in the coming months as we transition this home to a self sustaining-low imprint household.

Telecomm infrastructure?

Composting?

(more…)

Make it a habit to unplug all appliances when you are finished using them, it helps to reduce the amount of electricity you are using.

Mary Ellen Edgar’s story is an inspiring one. Her venture into the world of alternative laundry products all started with a visit to a friend in Australia who gave her a Ministry of Agriculture home remedy for a no-rinse laundry product for wool.  Living in the country and accustomed to economizing with well water and a septic tank, Ms Edgar tested the formula herself and was amazed at the results; her best red and white Argyle wool sweater washed up beautifully and she saved time, water and energy because of the no-rinse benefit of the formula. Encouraged and enthusiastic, Ms. Edgar proceeded to go to the next level and produce the new product on commercial basis.

H&J Global is a brand based on bamboo.  Bamboo fiber clothing, unlike other anti-microbial fabrics which require a chemical treatment, is naturally anti-microbial requiring no added harmful chemicals.  It contains an agent, “bamboo kun”, that prevents bacteria from cultivating on it.  Bamboo apparel is thermal regulating, anti-fungal, anti-static and will keep you cooler, drier, warmer and odor free.  Bamboo fiber also has natural UV protection.  Bamboo is grown without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers.  Bamboo fiber is 100% biodegradable.  Bamboo is nature’s most sustainable resource and is naturally regenerative.  Bamboo is actually a tropical grass, with an extensive root system that sends out an average of four to six new shoots per year, naturally replenishing itself and growing to heights of 60 feet or more.  Some bamboo species grow up to 4 feet per day and can be harvested every 3 to 4 years.

eMarketer did an awesome article today – didn’t know bad email had such a bad effect on the planet.  Here’s the article:

Who doesn’t hate spam? It clogs e-mail boxes. It clogs transmission lines. It wastes time. It wastes computer space. Everyone online thinks it’s bad, bad, bad.

And spam is not going away.

According to a Silverpop survey conducted last year, 80% of e-mail recipients felt that spam levels were either about the same or getting worse.

Now comes news that spam is not only a scourge of the virtual world, it’s bad for the real-world environment, too.

According to “The Carbon Footprint of Email Spam Report,” released by the security firm McAfee, the annual energy used to transmit, process and filter spam totals 33 billion kilowatt-hours (kwh).

That amount is equivalent to the electricity used in 2.4 million US homes—and creates the same greenhouse gas emissions as 3.1 million cars using 2 billion gallons of gasoline.

Read the full eMarketer article here >>

As I was biking in to work this morning along Waterfront Park (Willamette River and Mt. Hood views), I caught up with a colleague of mine who works at the PDC and we rode the rest of the way into work together.  It was one of those “Portland moments” where it would be unexpected anywhere else for a couple business guys who haven’t seen each other in 3 months connect on a morning commute into work.  Portland, like Amsterdam, has a biking culture, and with the right gear, it’s refreshing to bike rain or shine (although SUN is so so much better).  Here is the NY Times article my Dad (who lives in Washington DC) sent me as I arrived at my desk this morning:

“A LOT of good cyclists come out of Portland just because you can ride year-round,” said Bruce Rogers, an athletic-shoe designer visiting from his home in Hailey, Idaho. “I love coming back because I love the biking, no matter what time of year it is. More than fitness, it’s a fun outlet. As long as you have decent rainwear you can ride in any weather.”

Careering through streets on a bicycle in Portland, Ore., this time of year can be an easy weekend adventure that mixes showers, sunbursts, cafes and a robust bicycle culture. And equipped with a sturdy rain jacket, booties, fenders and a bike map (a waterproof version that folds to the size of a credit card is handy), visitors can enjoy the city the way locals do.

Check out the rest of the New York Times article here »

Nmera Lighting is is in full development of a line of LED lighting that will replace drop ceiling fluorescent fixtures and most all the lights you see out on the street, highways, parking lots and exterior building accent lighting. This technology will save not only the planet but your wallet. Our website is coming soon and we’ll give all the lowdown there. You can contact Owen Stephens,CTO @ owen@nmeralighting.com. Thanks!

I eat alot of asian foods so i always have my own set of chopsticks with me. I feel if more people would do this the waste from those dispossible chopsticks would be a great impact on the planet

Great article about the world’s first chain of green general stores in today’s New York Times:

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/03/green-franchising-and-the-general-store/