New Releases From Green Wineries (Part 3)

SUSTAINABLE -- Bethel Heights Pinot Noir Williamette Valley Casteel Reserve 2004; Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Williamette Valley Evenstad Reserve 2004; Joseph Phelps Syrah Napa Valley 2003; Schramsberg Brut Blanc de Noirs Napa-Mendocino-Sonoma Counties 2003; Beringer Chardonnay Napa Valley Sbragla Limited-Release 2005; Dumol Viognier Russian River Valley lia 2005; Goldeneye Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2004; Ponzi Pinot Noir Williamette Valley 2004; Argyle Blanc de Blanca Dundee Hills Knudsen Vineyard Julia Lee's Block 1998; Peter Michael Chardonnay Sonoma County Belle Cote 2005; Clos Du Bois Chardonnay Russian River Valley Calcaire 2005; Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Williamette Valley 2004; Ridge Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Lytton Springs 2005; Rodney Strong Chardonnay Chalk Hill Reserve 2004; Willakenzie Pinot Gris Oregon 2005; Benton-Lane Pinot Gris Williamette Valley 2006

New Releases From Green Wineries (Part 2)

ORGANIC -- Spottswoods Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Family Estate Grown 2003; Saglin Chardonnay Rutherford 2005; Turley Zinfandel Napa Valley Turley Estate 2005; Rubicon Estate Rubicon Rutherford 2002; Bonterra Syrah Mendocino County 2003

Young Filmmakers

Listen Up! is looking for filmmakers between 13 - 19 years old to tell personal stories about teenagers who've made it their business to learn about the environment around them and what they're doing about it. 2 questions -- (1) how do you and your community interact with the environment? and (2) is there a better way?

Joint BioEnergy Institute

A group led by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will build and operate a $125 million biofuels research center, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The Energy Department project is slated to receive $25 million annually for the next five years to support high-tech chemistry breakthroughs to produce clean-burning fuels made from plant fibers. One of the center's divisions will research new plants to create a source of farmed, renewable carbon. A second will focus on enzymes that transform plant cellulose into sugar. A third will develop biofuels and more energy-rich fuels. The fourth will support the 3 research lines and the biofuels industry in general.

Forbes -- "A Toxic Problem For Business?"

Mark Gunther reports that potential risks of toxic chemicals in everyday products has become one of the most complex and controversial issues confronting businesses. Gunther observes, among other things, that Johnson & Johnson has agreed to initiate a stakeholder dialogue with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

New Releases From Green Wineries (Part 1)

BIODYNAMIC: (1) Cayuse -- Syrah Walla Walla Valley Bionic Frog 2004; (2) Bergstrom -- Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Bergstrom Vineyard 2005; (3) Araujo -- Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Eisele Vineyard 2003; (4) Benziger -- Tribute Sonoma Mountain 2003; (5) Brick House -- Chardonnay Williamette Valley 2005; (6) Grgich Hills -- Zinfandel Napa Valley Miljenko's Old Vines 2003; (7) Ceago Vinegarden -- Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino Kathleen's Vineyard 2004.

Cork Furniture

Blowing up the bottle stopper, Portugal's Bleach Design reinvents the old mainstay of cork design into an environmentally friendly stool. It's equally at home indoors and outdoors and it's minimal lines and textured surface add a modern dose of naturalism to either venue. These sell at the A plus R store for $390.

More Than 25% Of Energy Consumed In Sweden During 2004 Came From Renewable Sources

I saw the statistic in yesterday's National Geographic Magazine article titled "Alcohol, Feces, Carcassas Fuel 'Green' Vehicles In Sweden." The article discusses how Sweden uses confiscated illegally-smuggled alcohol.

Greenwashing Exemplified

The New York Times recently published an article titled "At Home Depot, How Green Is That Chainsaw?" The article depicts the response that Home Depot received to its note to manufacturers inviting them to pitch the reasons why their products should be included in the Eco Options marketing campaign. Home Depot's Ron Jarvis, who oversees the Eco Options campaign, is quoted as follows: "Most of what you see today in the green movement is voodoo marketing." I'd have to agree with him.

Senate Passes Energy Bill

On June 21, the Senate passed the energy bill by a Yea-Nea vote of 65-27, including a compromise version (SA 1792) of CAFE legislation that increases new light-duty vehicle fleetwide fuel economy from 25 mpg to an average 35 mpg by 2020, but that eliminates the mandatory 4% per year increase thereafter that had been part of the original proposal.

Prefab Green

Treehugger published the book review of Michelle Kaufman's Prefab Green. The link's in the reader and here.

Toothpaste Made In China Not Safe

14 China-made brands of toothpaste are not safe to use because they contain an engine coolant ingredient. Here's the link to a 6/22 story in The New Straits Times.

Best & Worst Sunscreens

EWG assembled a list. Products by L'Oreal, B. Kamins and Neutrogena rank at the top of the worst list. Products by Badger, Peter Thomas Roth and Sun Spray are among the best.

Don't Drink Bottled Water

The Lighter Footstep lists 5 reasons why: (1) bottled water isn't good value; (2) bottled water is no healthier than tap water; (3) bottled water means garbage; (4) bottled water means less attention to public systems; and (5) bottled water means the corporatization of water. Here's the link to the article.

Environmentally Friendly (Wine) Labels

Use of the term "organic" is regulated by the federal government. Federal standards prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and the use of chemical- or sewage sludge-based fertilizers on or around crops. Certifying agencies must be USDA-accredited.

The term "sustainable" does not have a legal definition, but refers to a range of agricultural practices that are ecologically sound, economically viable and socially responsible. Sustainable farmers can choose what works best for their property and generally recycle, conserve energy and water and use renewable resources when possible. They might choose to use cover crops and compost to add nutrients to soil. They might control pests with native birds and beneficial insects. And, if they need chemicals, they'll choose the least toxic option. Regional and local certifying bodies exist.

"Biodynamic" is also not legally defined. Some say there are 4 key principles. All organic waste must be recycled. A diverse population of predator and prey animals, birds and insects must be encouraged to maintain ecosystem balance. Preparations such as diluted treatments and composts made from herbs, minerals and manures are applied to the land to promote crop fertility and control pests. Finally, landowners must recognize the interrelationships among everything on the farm and understand that nothing is optional and all is in pari passu. The Demeter Association is the international biodynamics certifying body.

Disposing Of Carpet

The GreenHomeGuide posted one designer's response to a question about where to dispose of carpet the environmentally sound way. Here's the link to the question and Cynthia Phakos' answer. It's work a look, even if only to see some of the startling data she recites.

Climate Counts

A new non-profit group, Climate Counts, reportedly wants consumers to consider a company's record in adding to or curbing climate change when they make purchasing decisions. Here's the link to the site.

Big Ideas For A Small Planet

This link to the Sundance Channel takes you to a page where you can see videos some of the interesting things kids are involved with in the context of environmental and other projects.

New & Easier Environmental Working Group Database

It's a huge improvement over the old site, for anyone who's interested in discovering what many cosmetic/body care product manufacturers don't say about ingredient safety. Here's the link.

Urban Gardening

I stumbled on this site during the last few days. It contains a lot of information for those who love city life yet would like to reconnect with nature...whether through green roofs or other.

The Livestock's Been Fed

What's a farmer to do with the extra hay? Grass bioenergy is an option. Check out this site that Jan found. Thanks Jan!!