Boston Gets Free Solar WIFI From Toyota Prius

More pics here from Street Attack.

These phat benches have electrical outlets for charging and offer free WIFI.  Not a bad little promotion. Maybe I’ll check it out when it hits Chicago…

Prius Solar Tour.Prius Solar Flowers.
Prius Solar Flowers are touring the U.S.! These large flower sculptures are flanked with solar panels and provide visitors with free Wi-Fi service and charging stations for laptops and cell phones. It’s all powered with help from the sun, like the Solar Roof in the 3rd generation Prius.

Prius Solar Bus Shelters.
3rd generation Prius technology is popping up in bus shelters across the country! Select public bus shelters have been retrofitted with solar panels and fans that circulate air within the shelter. This cooling experience was designed to mirror the Solar Powered Ventilation System found in the 3rd generation Prius. Embedded with available solar panels, the 2010 Prius can use solar power to ventilate the interior when parked in the sun.

Prius Solar Flowers and Bus Shelters will be touring major cities across the U.S. Check out the schedule here:
1. Boston – Prudential Plaza – July 8 – July 19, 2009
2. New York – Broadway Blvd – July 23 – August 2, 2009 (Solar Flowers Only)
3. Chicago – Navy Pier – August 8 – August 22, 2009
4. Seattle – Westlake Park – August 29 – September 7, 2009 (Solar Flowers Only)
5. San Francisco – Yerba Buena Gardens – September 12 – September 27, 2009
6. Los Angeles – The Americana – October 3 – October 18, 2009

Clean Energy Bill Needs Our Support

Clean energy bill needs our support

Any moment now, the House will be voting on the boldest attempt to rethink how we produce and use energy in this country. The bill’s passage is not assured. Call your Representative today.

• Call 877-9-REPOWER (877-9-737-6937) and we’ll connect you to your Representative right after providing you with talking points. (We’re expecting high call volume, and if you are unable to be connected please use our secondary line, 866-590-0971.)
• When connected to your Representative’s office, just remember to tell them your name, that you’re a voter, and that you live in their district. Then ask them to “vote ‘yes’ on comprehensive clean energy legislation.”
• Then, report the call below so we can coordinate the campaign

via Repower.org

Alternative Water Packaging: Juicebox? Milk? No…Water

Really?  I don’t know why I’m surprised, but really?  I’m sure it really is better for the earth.  GOOD Magazine Blog had this posted and someone at work passed it around.  Why not just get water out of a tap and if you’re paranoid, filter it.  Crazy idea, I know.  I’m sure this packaging is less resource intensive and can use recycled materials.  From the looks of the image, though, it looks like a TetraPak – which isn’t that easy to recycle in most municipalities.  Also – it doesn’t fit a cup holder.  It would be pretty phat to be allowed to drink out of the carton – but you’d be expecting milk or OJ and get water. 

I gots me head to thinking…who else is making alternative packaging for water…

Kids won’t drink water? Put it in a juice box, perhaps. You could even flavor it with apple or whatever. Thus we have Wateroos.

OR

and finally a TetraPak water pak – packaged much like some energy drinks.  We have Plant It Water that will plant a tree for every carton made.

Cameron Diaz Saves The World…

This is a short video from Cameron Diaz about stepping up and doing something and knowing where your resources are coming from. Cameron has long been an environmental advocate. This low-budget short is only 5min long – so kick back and check out…

PS – don’t get too excited, this is the only side-boob in the doc.

NBC Green Week…The More You Know

See more NBC Green “The More You Know” on the environment…

Almost Everyone Has a Solar Water Heater In Dezhou, China

Pretty damn impressive.  I’d love to have one., but they’re too expensive here in the States.  Boo.

Whale Wars Season 2 Preview

Okay – I still don’t know about this show. Sure – they’re trying to stop whaling – but the vigilante justice isn’t exactly my thing. Check out the preview for Season 2 which starts on June 5th on Animal Planet.

Chu Offers Common Sense Approach to Climate Change

Paint it white.  White roofs and pale roads will reflect the heat.  Seems so simple, doesn’t it? Energy Secretary Steven Chu says that taking these measures would have the same affect as removing every car in the world off the road for 11 years.

I think this is decent idea – it makes a lot of sense – the rays go right back up to the sky rather than soaking in and creating more energy use. I highly doubt most homeowners associations would allow it. If you had a flat roof on a building – then by all means – go for it. You’re throwing your money away if you don’t. Here’s a metal roof on a house rather than traditional shingles. Doesn’t look too bad to me…

Green Festival Comes To Chicago This Weekend

The smell of Spring is in the air, I went to my first farmer’s market of the season and that must mean it’s time for the third annual Green Festival in Chicago. This will be my third year attending and I can’t wait.  The first year it was enlightening to see so many people who held similar interests to myself.  I was amongst peers who shared my passion.  I learned a lot and was inspired.  Last year I went and took some time to listen to more speakers and stop and talk to the vendors. This year I’ll be on cruise control – learning and enjoying the day.

My recommendation if you’re going and have time – scout out some speakers to listen to.  They’re very informative and some of the best  and brightest in the green community.  Last year I had the privilege of listening to Jodi Murphy of Murco Recycling and host of Wrecklamation, Graham Hill – founder of Treehugger.com, and the ever lovely and passionate green advocate, Sara Snow.  Here’s some of that action from last year.  There are a lot of great speakers this year, too.  Check ‘em out over at http://www.greenfestivals.org and watch past speakers in the TV section.

While it’s okay to be a gawker and just kinda do a drive-by of the various booths – don’t be shy to go up and have a conversation.  You’d be surprised how friendly these folks are and how much you could learn.  One more tip – bring extra cash.  There are a lot of vendors who sell items cheap at the Green Fest – like $10 organic cotton polo shirts or the baby outfits.  Or just have cash on hand for that “must-have” green item.  I’m not advocating consumerism, but if you’re going to buy something anyway – get it from a small business and get something you can respect – vote with your dollars, right?  Oh – and while there are lots of yummy samples out there – check out the organic food vendors and stuff your face with goodness! 

Photo gallery of 2008 Green Festival

The skinny:

Event Details:
Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Avenue, Chicago

Saturday, May 16: 10:00AM – 7:00PM

Sunday, May 17: 11:00AM – 6:00PM

$15 for two days/$10 for seniors, students, and all who arrive by bicycle or public transit

FREE: Children 18 and younger, Green America or Global Exchange members and volunteers, those who bring three or more books to donate to BetterWorldBooks

PS – Be sure to stop by booth 1405 to visit our friends at RecycleMe Organic Tees

Zero-Emission Home Being Built in Chicago

I’m singing to myself now “if I had a million dollars…” or maybe “if I had $1.6million dollars…” This house is pretty damn sweet. It’s targeted to be LEED platinum. This is a good example of a home that has it all, but you could easily pick your battles and start implementing the smaller things one at a time.   I hope to do things slowly – I’d love to go hog wild, but the budget just isn’t there – like most folks.

Here are some examples:

• passive solar
• geothermal
• grey water
• solar hot water
• solar panels (photovoltaics)
• rain collection
• thermal mass
• argon, triple pane windows
• no VOC paints/adhesives/etc
• dual-flush toilets

Thanks to my old friend Charles from Kickstarter for the link!