CO2 captured from automobile exhaust and used for algae production

Reuters reports that several inventors from Wales have developed what they call the “Greenbox.”

This sounds like a big breakthrough. However its not like this is the first time I have read one of these “silver bullet technology” stories.

The fact that these folks are so secretive of course makes it hard to evaluate the viability of the technology.

Califia Sketchbook Design Competition!

If a truly biophilic society
created a city, what would this city look like? Would nature and our urban environments be one and every roof be green? Would buildings be built like trees and information flow through this living fabric without resistance? If our infrastructure were deeply biomimetic, how would we get our water, our energy, our food, our heat? Can built environments create habitats for lifeforms who need it? Can buildings be net positives to the grid, cities be organic food exporters, and architecture become not just carbon neutral but carbon negative? What would it feel like to live in this green city of tomorrow? What would most capture its slices of life? What are the true limits of how green our cities can be?

September 1 – December 1, 2007

Submit your single page sketch of a slice of life in the green city of tomorrow during the above dates.

The purpose of the Califia Sketchbook Design Competition is to express to a wide variety of people what life will be like in Califia, a proposed next generation eco-city in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, USA. People from around the world are invited to enter a conceptual sketch revealing smarter greener ways of building, powering, maintaining, and inhabiting the urban fabric.

California Product Stewardship Council seeks Examples of Zero Waste Best Practices

The California Product Stewardship Council is a nonprofit association made up of representatives from cities and counties all over CA. Their mission is to shift California’s product waste management system from one focused on government funded and ratepayer financed waste diversion to one that relies on producer responsibility in order to reduce public costs and drive improvements in product design that promote environmental sustainability.

More…
CPSC is seeking out examples not only from communities in California, but others around the world who have adopte Extended Producer Responsibility or Product Stewardship resolutions.

Communities that have implemented Advance Recycling Fees for household batteries are also of interest. A quick description of the program, and if it’s been successful, would be helpful.

Roberta Dunlap City of San Jose
Environmental Services Department
170 W. San Carlos St
San Jose CA 95113
(408) 277-5364
FAX (408) 277-2357
Roberta.dunlap@sanjoseca.gov

Debbie Basher
City of San Jose – Environmental Services
Integrated Waste Management, Attn. Debbie Basher
200 East Santa Clara Street, 10th Floor Tower
San Jose, CA 95113-1905
debbie.basher@sanjoseca.gov
phone (408)-975-2514
Fax: (408) 292-6211

Check out: www.sjrecycles.org

Gary Liss
916-652-7850
Fax: 916-652-0485
www.garyliss.com

Workshop: Biodynamic Composting Saturday, July 21st, 12pm to 3pm

Workshop: Biodynamic Composting Saturday, July 21st, 12pm to 3pm, $35
Location: Petaluma
Register at www.daily-acts.org or call (707) 789-9664

Learn the fundamental theories behind Rudolf Steiner’s Biodynamics, which is the oldest organized system of organic agriculture in the West, while learning a hands-on method of making restorative transformational compost. Harness methods to produce compost that serves not just as a practical medicine for the garden, but as a manifestation of our deeper spiritual beliefs – allowing for a healing of not just the earth but ourselves. A well made tablespoon of compost contains over six billion micro-organisms, but it also contains insights into Eastern and Western perspectives; the four-fold human body; overcoming death and disease and the miracle of nature. Instructor Chas Moore is a Biodynamic practitioner, gardener,
Permaculture designer, consultant, and educator.

Green Building Exchange Promotes Business and Educational Sustaianability at New Bay Area Eco-Center

The Green Building Exchange according to its organizers is a “55,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY ENCOURAGES BUILDERS, DEVELOPERS AND CONSUMERS TO ‘THINK AND LEARN GREEN.’”

On July 28 in Redwood City the 55,000 square foot marketplace facility will open to the public.

Its a way for the public to learn first-hand about everything from solar panels to bamboo flooring, energy-saving coil bulbs, and water-saving irrigation systems.

Green Seed Radio is hosted by Ginnie Waters and can be heard every Saturday, 2-3 p.m. on 960AM “The Quake,” which will be be broadcasting live from the grand opening. The Radio show is also produced by Green Building Exchange, and its apparently the first commercial radio show promoting ecological design and green building.

The center is designed to provide information on every aspect of green building, particularly content relevant to promoting sustainability in the Bay Area. Michael Schaeffer, President and CEO of Green Building Exchange says that “As someone associated with the construction business, I was quick to realize that there was a tremendous interest in environmentally friendly construction, but there was no single source that could provide information on all aspects of the industry.”

Eric Corey Freed, founder of organicARCHITECT is recognized for keeling alive the tradition of Organic Architecture first developed by Frank Lloyd Wright. He will share his approaches to organic and ecological design

Visionary architect Sym Van Der Ryn will address ways that design, project planning, education and public access to ecological principles make green building a viable solution to our global challenges;

Sustainable Spaces founder, Matt Golden, who was highlighted on NBC’s “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” addresses a holistic system of identifying improvements in comfort, air quality and energy efficiency in the home;

Green Builders of Marin founder, John Shurtz , will discuss healthy approaches to renovation, reuse of materials in building, and structurally sound building practices;

Scott Fossel, from Green Century Institute, will look at the vision of a whole system approach to ecological and economical urban development. GCI is a founding sponsor of the upcoming 2008 Eco City World Summit in San Francisco.

Zero Waste Business Workshop: Successful Business & Community Partnerships for Sustainability July 31, 2007, San Pedro, CA

Achievement of Zero Waste is dependent upon the successful collaboration of businesses with businesses, businesses with government, and businesses with the public on programs that prevent waste and encourage sustainability. This workshop presents successful models of sustainability that have either achieved Zero Waste or are making significant progress on sustainability, extended producer responsibility, product stewardship, and takeback programs.

Devastated Kansas Town To Be Rebuilt As “Eco-Town”

Reuters | July 13, 2007 10:43 PM

The 13-part series, “Eco-Town,” will chronicle the rebuilding of the small town of Greensburg, Kan., which was devastated by a tornado May 4. The town, which has more than 1,500 residents, will be rebuilt as a “sustainable model of eco-living and one that will save it from future environmental catastrophe.”

The project was brought to Discovery by DiCaprio, a noted environmentalist, and Craig Piligiann of Pilgrim Films & Television. DiCaprio will executive produce through his company, Appian Way, along with Piligian…

Coal the Enemy of Humankind?

Steven asks in the Sustainable Tuscon Discussion Group: “Is there anyone who DOESN’T read energybulletin.net regularly?” Actually I dont.

According to Steven, EnergyBulletin gives a great wrap-up of important energy and sustainability news.

James Hanson is featured in a special Grist Mill editionCoal is the enemy of the human race: James Hansen edition:

There are long lists of things that people can do to help mitigate climate change. But for reasons quantified in my most recent publication, a moratorium on coal-fired power plants without CCS [Clean Coal Systems?] is by far the most important action that needs to be pursued. It should be the rallying issue for young people. The future of the planet in their lifetime is at stake. This is not an issue for only Bangladesh and the island nations, but for all humanity and other life on the planet.

More here.

In my hometown of Springfield Missouri, this reality still seems very much lost on the decision-makers, including the municipal utility (City Utilities) are still going full steam ahead with their coal power plant which they call Southwest 2. One wonders whats it going to take to get them to wake up and realize the error of their ways?

Actions need to be taken against the use of conventional coal which it seems is what Hansen is saying. However the notion that a resource can be an enemy of the human race is not very sound thinking and reasoning. The problem is not the resource but how we use it.

Its also theoretically possible that Fossil fuels like coal:

Can be used in more sustainable ways on a temporary basis

Could actually be made into a more sustainable transitional approach to a truly sustainable energy economy as compared to say the ethanol/biofuels frenzy that we now see taking control of the political mainstream.

Saturday SOULutionary Talk WATER and Brazil International Permaculture Convergence

7-9:30pm
San Francisco Botanical Garden
http://www.solutioneers.org/

You just don’t want to miss this Sustainability Tour featuring Brock Dolman and Erik Ohlsen. Some of you may have heard as well that Brock is featured in the new Leo DeCaprio documentary The 11th Hour. Anyways, hope you can make it. bring a friend and spread the word.

West County Delight
Sunday, July 15th , 9am to 4pm, $35
Sign up: 707-789-9664

Wow, is this day made ever so special with two incredible sites to visit, hosted by internationally renowned Permaculture practitioners and teachers. We’ll head to the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (OAEC) for the famed “Brock Walk.” Into its second decade, this organization and intentional community has been addressing environmental, social and economic crises with innovative, practical solutions, style and beauty. Brock Dolman, Director of OAEC’s Permaculture, Basins of Relations, and Wildlands Biodiversity Programs, will satiate you with his wealth of knowledge and practicality as we meander through gardens containing over 3,000 varieties of heirloom annuals and 1,000 varieties of edible, medicinal and ornamental perennials.

Having become more “literate with the landscape”, we’ll switch courses and visit a beautiful site that includes three natural buildings. We’ll be greeted by resident, Erik Ohlsen. In less than two years Erik has transformed his yard using Permaculture design features such as edible landscaping, and small-scale intensive planting, emphasizing diversity and energy efficiency. His beautiful straw bale home was designed by architect, Darrel DeBoer, known for his exploration of structural bamboo uses in the U.S. We’ll walk on earthen floors, touch earthen and lime plasters, see incredible stone work, artisan staircases, hand rails and much more. This lovely home site has been featured in Natural Home Magazine.