11 Jun 07 |
As always, the new edition Earthtoys.com ezine is reason for excitement. The June version features some great info about the world of alternative energy.
It also has lots of in-depth articles on earth-friendly technologies. For example, this time around there are some interesting articles on Algae.
“WHY AREN’T ALGAE GETTING THE ATTENTION THEY DESERVE?”
“MICRO-ALGAE PRODUCES OMEGA-3 BIO-LIPID OIL”
Are two articles that you can enjoy if you love that green stuff! There’s also some cost comparisons with different photovoltaics, and a guide to practical solar energy for the home if you like the sunshine.
And as always, you’ll find articles on alternative fuels and transportation.
Enjoy!
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The U.S. seems to me to underuse wind power. Wind power has become a very important source of renewable energy throughout the world. So why doesn’t it “fly” here in the States?
Popular Mechanics covers the controversy with a list of the three biggest causes of the lack of investment and possible solutions to help us get on board. You can read this story on PopularMechanics.com.
Popular Mechanics is also working with Tonight Show host Jay Leno, who is going to to install a state-of-the-art turbine on top of his “green garage shop.” That gas guzzling car crazy junkie better do something green!
You can see more about Jay’s wind power projects on the Popular Mechanics website as well.
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Today I’m very pleased to present an interview with the founder of Earthtoys.com, Bob Hetherington.
Earthtoys.com is a website devoted to the alternative energy industry. It features an e-magazine and web library, and also includes a news service updated hourly and an events calendar.
Bob founded the website in 2002. Since that time, it has served as a very popular resource for all those interested in alternative energy technologies. They have over 60,000 visits each month.
Bob says about the website,
“We provide an open and unbiased platform where new ideas, systems and solutions can be expressed, shared and cataloged for use by our readers.”
Enjoy the interview and make sure to visit Earthtoys.com! Thanks again to Bob Hetherington for taking the time out of his busy week to do this interview.
Tell us about yourself and how you became interested in the world of alternative energy.
I’m a mechanical engineer by profession and was in university in the early 70’s when the first gas crisis hit hard. Our faculty entered the Urban Car Competition at that time and we built the winning entry (beating out the likes of MIT and the US Army). It was a LNG (liquid natural gas) powered small sedan with many innovative features that made it not only energy efficient but safer, not polluting and very economical to operate.
I guess that’s when I got interested in alternative energy and I went on to do other projects at school such as studying the feasibility of using a flywheel to store energy in a car etc.
Unfortunately, I got busy paying mortgages and having kids after that. Reality sets in and some of our dreams must be delayed for a while. Unfortunately the alternative energy industry seemed to go into limbo too. The world went from economical small cars and practical living spaces to Hummers, SUV’s and monster homes while politicians and professors kept talking about how nice it would be to save energy and stop polluting the environment.
Too much talk and posturing … no practical products built and marketed.
How was the idea for the EarthToys website born?
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23 Apr 07 |
Ok, check it out. The Daily Green - “The consumer’s guide to the green revolution” is Hearst Magazines’ contribution to the world of Green Living. They just launched the beta version on Earth Day.
It looks like a pretty cool website so far. These are their highlights for the beta launch:
Exclusive Op-Ed from Presidential Candidate John Edwards – Encouraging Americans to take action now to stem the effects of climate change, Mr. Edwards outlines his environmental platform noting, “It is time for all of us to prove that patriotism is about more than supporting a war; it is about supporting the future.”
Robert Redford’s “The Heat is On” Video Short Debut - Urging the 2008 presidential candidates to make global warming a top priority, Redford’s video is part of the larger “The Heat is On” campaign by the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund.
Weird Weather Watch – This user-generated photoblog of climate change gives backyard environmentalists and camera phone climatologists a chance to share their wildest weather observations.
New Green Cuisine – The site is loaded with recipes developed by The Daily Green’s food editor as well as collected from various Hearst magazines, cookbooks and users, all based on healthy, organic, pesticide-free, or locally-grown ingredients.
The only feature that I found to be flawed is the Weird Weather Watch. Weird weather is interesting but not really compelling evidence of global warming or climate change. Occasional weird weather can be considered pretty normal and anomalous weather phenomena is something that has been going for thousands of years. Photo documentation over say 50-100 years of a melting glacier might serve as evidence, but not necessarily a few snap shots over a year or two. Some of the photos are interesting though, so it’s worth checking out. They are arranged in different catagories such as “Worth Preserving” and “Signs of the Times” (as in signs and billboards) so it’s not all about freaky weather as the name implies.
Other than that, the Daily Green is looking pretty good. I look forward especially to more of their eco-friendly tips.
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Earthtoys February Alternative Energy Emagazine is now up. As always there are great articles about alternative energy technologies, green building, and alternative forms of transportation. You’ll also find an interesting article about how to grow houseplants to filter the air in your home or office.
I also wanted to put up some interesting comments from the ezine’s publisher:
In the State of the Union Address, there was much talk about Alternative and Renewable Energy … which is great. Our news page contains press releases from many energy related associations discussing the speech and debating it’s relevance …some positive and some negative reactions.
My two bits worth is this: Any serious discussion about Alternative Energy is good … but so far I’m not seeing enough action resulting from all the discussion. We need solutions to the energy problems we are facing and they must range from small inventions to mega-projects. Everyone needs to be engaged in applying the solutions to everyday life. There are many products out there already that work. Lets start promoting their use and generate some cash to build more. We do not need to reinvent the wheel … just start rolling it and having fun with it.
Down with the study groups and up with the EarthToys!
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20 Oct 06 |
I was just checking out the EarthToys.com emagazine for this month and found a very cool article about eco-friendly gadgets and innovations. The article is heavy on solar technology, and talks about such unusual things as solar powered trash compactors and light sensitive dyes that are making for some very unique solar technologies.
“Nanotechnology has come to solar with Konarka Technologies (MA) having then first pilot manufacturing line - of solar electric dyes atop flexible materials that are being sewn into army tents sporting camouflage colors, and soon on consumer devices.”
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22 Aug 06 |
EarthToys.com August emagazine is up and it is full of great articles about alternative energy, green building, organic gardening, and more! Here’s a sample of what you’ll find:
• Is American Ready for Hydrogen?
• Scotland – UK Green Revolution.
• Micro Thermoelectric Generators.
• LED Buyer Beware!
• Greening Affordable Housing.
• Natural Fertilizers Outperform Chemicals.
I particularly enjoyed the greening affordable housing article, which talks about Habitat for Humanity’s East Bay projects in Oakland, California. Habitat East Bay (HEB) is working hard to make green housing available for all levels of the economic spectrum:
For years Habitat East Bay (HEB) experimented with environmentally friendly products. In 2002 the organization adopted sustainability into its mission, making a commitment to build all of its homes using green building principles.
HEB has received grants from the Environmental Protection Agency to renovate brown fields, clean them up, and make them available for housing. Additionally, they use a number of environmentally-friendly products in their construction, including engineered lumber instead of solid sawn wood, fiber-cement board siding, which contains recycled material, and recycled latex paints. Natural linoleum, which is made from renewable sources, is used in the kitchen and baths of HEB homes. It is very durable and is considered a better construction material than sheet vinyl.
They are also implementing elements of passive solar design and advanced framing. Advanced framing is also known as “Optimum Value Engineering,” and involves laying out studs every 24 inches instead of every 16 inches. Most homes have a southern exposure and photovoltaic panels to help reduce energy costs for families.
It is clear that HEB is leading the way in green housing for low income families. Let’s hope more organizations follow their lead!
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8 Aug 06 |
The new issue of design magazine Dwell is dedicated to sustainable design and green housing. Article themes include: Sustainable Homes of Tomorrow, Today; Design Like You Give a Damn; Flooring With a Conscience; Tree Houses Grow Up; It Takes a Villa near Barcelona, Spain; Emerald in the Rough in Ireland; Zeros Effect in Phoenix; Dwell Labs magazine racks; Detour in Brussels; Conversation with Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa. The issue is printed on recycled paper.
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24 Mar 06 |
The National Peace Corps Association’s magazine World View just released a special issue dealing with water. One of the Peace Corps’ main projects these days is building water systems in rural and impoverished areas of the third world. Given the fact that millions of people throughout the world live without access to potable water, this is very important work. Additionally, the Peace Corps works to educate communities on how to maintain their water systems, and the importance of hygiene. Read more about the new water issue here.
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9 Mar 06 |
This is the opening line of Margaret Wertheim’s article on intelligent design from the L.A. Weekly:
“Intelligent design” makes sense only if our higher power is a devious, brutal killer
Wow! That pretty much sets the tone for the remainder of the article. For those looking for an interesting and in-depth criticism of intelligent design, this is an excellent article. You can find it in Quark Soup, a column from the L.A. Weekly that deals with lots of issues related to science, technology, and the environment. It’s definitely worth a repeat visit to read more of their articles.
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