When it comes to what’s on the air, America is tuning in–the average home has more televisions than people and each member is watching more than four hours a day–and we’re seeing it all bigger and brighter thanks to advances like flat-screens and HD. While all this viewing is a boost for the people of prime time, it’s hardly the best thing for the environment. Where we once bought 19-inch sets, we’ve upgraded to 40-something inch screens (and bigger). Not only do these TVs use more resources in their creation, they eat through electricity at a much higher level than older varieties, especially in homes that are “average” by Nielsen Rating Standards and have a television on for more than eight hours a day. One 47-inch television can go through almost 400 kWh in a year if on for four hours a day and that’s excluding other elements like DVD players or cable boxes.

But as of November 1, buyers can opt for televisions that meet the EPA’s new, more comprehensive energy-efficiency specification. These televisions will be up to 30 percent more energy efficient than conventional models and adhere to a higher standard than even the previous energy-efficiency system. What kind of change could made by consumers choosing these eco-friendly models? If everyone who bought a television this year selected an EPA Energy Star model we could save about $1 billion in energy costs annually and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would be equal to that of about 1 million cars. Click here to read more

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With massive crowds, fathoms of electricity-consuming equipment and a trail of waste left in the wake, music festivals have often been areas of environmental dismay. This summer, however, saw a surge in greening the scene; Rothbury Festival brought artists like Of Montreal and Snoop Dogg together while promoting sustainability and operating as near to zero-waste as possible; Lollapalooza utilized organic local foods, compostables and carbon offsets and even featured a Green Street where festival go-ers could learn take-home tips about green living.

As the festival season wraps up and you move your listening to your living room, do your part by making sure your sound system is great AND green. Click here to read more

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As appealing as free electricity sounds, solar power has been a costly and sometimes frustratingly inconsistent resource. Photovoltaics have relied upon expensive silicon cells in the past, making it nearly impossible for solar energy to make the jump to mass energy source. But with the advent of thin film solar cells, solar power is becoming a cost-effective, more efficient alternative.

Reware has capitalized on this thin film technology, creating light, ultra-flexible, powerful solar bags and accessories, making chargers almost obsolete. If solar bags aren’t quite up your alley, the Juice Solar Power Pocket accessory is a great alternative. Believe it or not, this small solar panel charges electronics at nearly the same rate as plugging them into a wall socket does - making keeping cell phones, iPods, and other small electronic devices charged and ready for use. Click here to read more

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Americans buy, and eventually toss, about 3 billion batteries per year, and the majority of them are Alkaline batteries. With the average price of a four pack of AA batteries running between $12 - $14, that’s a lot of cash. And we hate feeling like we’re always replacing them.

Just as CFLs are a cost-efficient, more convenient, eco-preferable alternative to incandescent lightbulbs, rechargeable batteries definitely trump disposables in several ways.

First, after the initial cost of purchasing a charger, rechargeables save you from having to reach into your pocket over and over again for a product with a very short life expectancy. Rechargeable NiMH batteries can be recharged 500 or more times, saving hundreds of dollars in battery purchases over time. We’re fans of Greenfeet’s NiMH/CAD Battery Charger, $29.95.

Plus, rechargeables often last longer than disposables between charges, meaning less time spent purchasing and replacing batteries. Click here to read more

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’Tis the season for summer power outages. Whether you live in large cities and power usage is at its peak (hello, air conditioning), or thunderstorms and tropical storms bring down power lines, blackouts happen most often during summer months. We all know how frustrating it is to fumble around in the dark for a flashlight, hoping its batteries aren’t out of juice.

But even if you’re unprepared for the lights to go out, the SunNight Solar Task Light has you covered. After being left in the sun for 8 hours (even on a cloudy day), this flashlight is ready for 4-5 hours of LED illumination. And even if its solar charge runs out, it’s powered by 3 rechargeable batteries – no need to keep buying quickly-used disposables, which are not only pricy, but leak toxic chemicals into soil. The Solar Task Light also has a night glow strip, making it easy to locate in the dark.

So what’s with the BOGO? Click here to read more

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Daily Greenz #158

Since the sun’s finally out for the summer, we’ve been particularly intrigued by solar-powered products of late. So when we caught wind that Apple recently filed a patent to incorporate solar cells into their products, we couldn’t have been more psyched.  What could be more convenient than boosting the battery power of your iPod, iPhone, or MacBook while you enjoy time spent outside? The patent proposes that solar cells could be layered below glass and LCD layers, and that each of Apple’s solar devices could monitor and display solar cell performance.

EPEAT, which rates just how eco-friendly electronics are, has already granted the MacBook their Silver rating, but it appears that the company wants to do more.

Click here to read more

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Daily Greenz #90

In past years, Apple has received a bad rep for being every eco-consumer’s worst nightmare. In fact, Greenpeace ranked Apple as having the worst environmental record among 14 major electronic companies, based on its use of harmful chemicals and failure to implement a recycling program for its products.

In a recent effort to improve its public image, Apple has released the MacBook Air. Thin enough to fit into a manila envelope, it’s also one of the lightest laptops on the market, which means it takes less greenhouse gases to deliver to consumers. The improvements don’t stop there: the laptop’s case is made of aluminum, which is easily recyclable. In addition, there’s no PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or BFR (bromide) in this model, and Apple also refrained from using
mercury and arsenic in the Macbook Air’s LCD display and glass. Finally, they reduced the packaging for the
laptop by more than 50%, and it proudly displays the Energy-Star for energy efficiency.

Greenpeace gave it a nod for being considerably more eco-friendly, but has urged Apple to incorporate green practices for all its products. Available for $1,799 at www.apple.com.

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Daily Greenz #89

Cell phones have long been a thorn in the flesh of environmentalists, who decry the 130 million cell phones that Americans throw out every year, creating 65,000 tons of trash, including toxic metals and other health hazards. Nokia has finally heard their cry and taken the lead to create eco-mobile products that are made of plant-based plastics and recycled steel, and use much less energy than their hazardous counterparts. They unveiled the 3110 Evolve at their world conference last year, which was a big hit with Greenpeace because it’s made of 50% recycled materials and totes an energy-efficient charger, which uses 94% less energy than Energy Star requirements and
automatically shuts off once the phone is fully charged. Click here to read more

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Daily Greenz #53

The SolarRoll has made the seemingly impossible possible- and our lives that much easier. When you’re on the go and realize that your laptop is about to die, you can simply roll out the portable SolarRoll, which is solar-powered and generates electricity to charge anything from an mp3 player, to a cell phone, to a car battery. In fact, you can connect several of them together for higher output or have one custom-made to fit your needs. Because the heaviest one weighs just over one pound (and the lightest one weighs half that), you’re not only more mobile, but you can also feel good about keeping the landfills free of hazardous materials that are contained in disposable batteries. Now, the next time you’re planning a camping expedition, you no longer have to worry about being cut off from the world. Buy a SolarRoll for $199.00 and up at brunton.com.

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Daily Greenz #43

Zonbu is a cigar-box shaped computer system that claims to save its subscribers up to $10 a month off their energy bill. Though it looks unassuming, this little box hooks up to a monitor, keyboard and mouse and includes over 20 applications, including a word processor and internet, It uses the Linux operating system, which rivals Mac and Windows systems and has been growing in popularity, according to Sonbu’s creator, Gregoire Gentil.

This $12.95 monthly cost is an unavoidable downside, and is barely offset by the energy the device saves. The upside? Zonbu backs up your data as you go, so you don’t end up losing that project you have due at 9am. It’s also easy to navigate. Check out the prices–and definitely try out the tutorial–at zonbu.com.

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