8.29.2008

Earthrace - new world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe - 100% biodiesel, 100% Carbon Neutral


I am not very into the 'setting a world record' thing, but apparently a lot of people are, like the 'Grease to Greece' race that I have mention in my last post. But the positive thing about such attempts is that they usually attract a lot of media attention, which is very good for promotion (for sponors, the concept of biofuel and a green message in this case).

Back to the Earthrace, it is a powerboat powered 100% by biodiesel. It started its journey from Vulkan Shipyard, Sagunto, Spain on Sunday 27 April 2008, finished on 27 June 2008. It set the world record of 60 day 23 minutes 49 seconds to circumnavigate the globe, which is about 14 days faster than the previous world record, congratulation, congratulation!


8.28.2008

"Grease to Greece" racers cross Europe on cooking oil

Have you even thought about the alternative use of cooking oil apart from cooking? It can take you from London to Athens. Check out the Grease to Greece race and see what can be done by these waste oil.



Via Reuters by Daniel Flynn
Fuelled only by used cooking fat, eight teams completed a 2,500-mile car rally from London to Athens on Wednesday in a bid to promote awareness of cheap and environmentally-friendly bio-fuels.

The "Grease to Greece" race, the brainchild of 34-year-old Londoner Andy Pag, took the teams on a 10-day mission across Europe in which they begged oil to fuel their cars from restaurants, motorway cafes and fast-food joints along the way.

"There is no reason why Joe Public cannot do this, save themselves a bit of money and help the environment because they are not using fossil fuels," Pag said.

The race ended on Wednesday with a ceremony at the British Embassy in Athens where Ambassador Simon Gass presented a Golden Lard award to the team which had earned the most "Grease Marks" for collecting fuel.

Unlike expensive conventional rallies such as the Paris-Dakar, Pag paid only 500 British pounds ($900) for his second-hand Peugeot 405 and spent nothing on fuel since leaving London -- saving the equivalent of what he paid for the car.

An experienced eco-traveler, Pag drove to the desert town of Timbuktu in Mali last year using a truck powered by waste chocolate. His next scheme is a round-the-world trip next year using aviation fuel made from recycled plastic bags.

Racers received a warm welcome from most restauranteurs. "Whenever people have had oil they have been really, really willing to give it. It's a waste product for them so we are taking away their rubbish," Pag told Reuters.

The competitors in the race included a policeman, several engineers, farmers, a film editor, and an accountant.

Farmers Coleen and Mario Chadwick drove to Athens in their unconverted Range Rover, using used cooking oil sieved through kitchen equipment. They plan to keep driving on cooking oil from their local primary school once they return to England.
Pag's red Peugeot was converted to run on cooking oil using an kit produced by Britain's Regenatec.

"Demand for this technology is rocketing," said Adrian Hensen, whose company sells bio-fuel equipment. "With petrol prices so high, lots of people are looking for ways to reduce their fuel bills and this is a fantastic way to do it."

8.25.2008

Pizza Fusion

More about Green catering.

Pizza Fusion - Organic Food, Hybrid Car Delivery, 100% Wind Powered!
So next time when you want a pizza, consider this one, rather than Domino's


Image from Pizza Fusion

8.23.2008

Water House Restaurant


Green everywhere, which is great!
Now restaurants are going green as well! There are quite a lot of example out there actually but I am going to start with a pretty fine restaurant in London called the Water House Restaurant.

Water House Restaurant is owned by Shoreditch Trust (award winning charitable regeneration agency) and run by executive chef Arthur Potts Dawson, a very experience and highly regarded chef who has been working in Michelin-starred restaurants. Apart from excellent experience as a chef, Arthur is very keen on the sustainability of his food and restaurant. Water House Restaurant is a super green restaurant that utilize every possible way to operate in a environmental friendly manner. For example, they use:

1. renewable hydro-electric power to minimise carbon emissions.
2. he ambient water temperature from the canal (under licence from British Waterways) and the latest heat pump technology for energy efficient cooling
3. roof-mounted solar panels to provide hot water
4. photovoltaic cells to produce renewable electricity
5. hydro-carbon fridges to reduce energy consumption
6. benches that are made from trees that were felled in a storm
7. herbs that grow in soil enriched with his kitchen’s composted waste

But apparently, someone is not very happy about this restaurant, and this guy is called AA. Giles. Even heard of him? No? He is a very famous food critic in UK. "ummmhh.... is he the guy that got...." Yes!! He is the guy that got thrown out of the restaurant by Gordon Ramsay years ago, when he made a impolite comment on Gordon. (Something like "Ramsay is a wonderful chef, just a really second-rate human being") He thinks that the water in this restaurant is too flat, the duck risotto is shit, etc etc
I am not going to argue or disagree as I have never been there, perhaps I will give you a personal report on this restaurant if I have a chance to go there.



Image from London Town, Times Online, and Green Care

Wanna hv a look?
Address: Waterhouse Restaurant, 10 Orsman Road, London. N1 5QJ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7033 0123

Stella McCartney



Seems something is missing if I don't talk about Stella McCartney in here, as she is definitely one of the most significant figure green fashion.

I don't think Stella McCartney need much introduction. Stell was graduated from Central St. Martin in 1995, and she was appointed as the creative director of Chole in Paris 2 years after her graduation. Speculation of nepotism arose - media questioned if her meteoric success is linked to the publicity of her father, Paul McCartney from Bealtes. Actions speak louder than words, stella cleared all these doubts and critisms by showing everyone what she really made of. Continuously producing super amazing collections season after season, receiving awards one after another, Stella tells the world that she is one of the best fashion designer in the world, and that has nothing to do with her father.

Stella has established herself as a green and ethical top-end fashion designer. She has been a vegetarian since a very young ago, which lead to her refusal of using fur in her design (I guess...); All her skincare products are made with organic vegetation; All her operations in UK are powered by Ecotricity; Moreover, you can even find a Stella's ECO Tips in her website, HOW. AMAZING!!



Bring it on, Stella McCartney!
All image from Stella McCartney

8.21.2008

Patchwork Series by Amy Hunting

There is some very nice furniture by Amy Hunting, a Norwegian designer based in London. This series of furniture is called Patchwork. All materials used in this series are wood cut-offs collected from factories in Denmark. The combination of different type and size of wood creates a very nice texture. Well done!

Via Dezeen



Great book box, you can use it vertically or on the side

All image from Amy Hunting

My Top 7 Sustainable/Green Blogs!!

Apparently, both bloggers and readers love listsss. So, here you go, this is a list of my top 7 favorite Blogs about sustainable and green lifestyle and environment issues!

1. TreeHugger
TreeHugger is my favorite of favorites!! It has good design, good and different type of information, a variety of green tips and a bunch of well-educated reader. I can learn something new even from the comments!

2. Inhabitat

Inhabitat is probably the most famous green blog on the internet. Very informative and interesting. The good thing about Inhabitat is that they have quite a lot of unique features and they host quite a lot of public events. But the bad thing about it is, I NEVER able to put a comment to any of the post somehow, I put not swearing words and no hyperlink, I just dont know why!! Pissing me off!

3. AutoBlogGreen

AutoBlogGreen is the best green blog about cars. Their posts are very updated, sometimes even faster than the newspaper. The information is very professional. It is definitely the best site to check out everyday if you are a car mania!

4. ecogeek

ecogeek is a blog focus on green technology and gadgets. I love the layout of this blog, is very clean and reader-friendly. Load of useful information there, check it out!!

5. ecofabulous
The reason I like this love is because they are pretty much focus 100% on what I love the most - sustainable lifestyle and design!! I am lovin' it!

6. Sustainablog
A very nice blog with a lot of information on environmental and economic sustainability, green and sustainable business, and environmental politics. Quite a lot of unique content, NICEEE!!

7. Chelsea Green
Clearly displayed on its banner - politics and practice of sustainable living. I m not very into politics, but when I need any information about that, this is the blog for me! It also have other interesting green tips, which makes it a even greater site to visit!

Well, this is my list, I hope you like it, enjoy!

8.20.2008

The Big Ask - Urge Our Government to Act on Climate Change!

If you are UK citizen, you must know about the Climate Change Bill. If you are not, you should know it, Bucause you can ask your local government to do something like that. Climate Change Bill is the first long term legal binding framework to tackle the danger of climate change.

What is Climate Change Bill and why should you support it?
The Climate change Bill is the result of the combining efforts of environment groups, which is a climate law that aim to cut carbon emission in UK. The Bill requires a 26% cut on net UK carbon emission by 2020 and a 60% cut by 2050, compare to 1990 level. The Bill was introducted in parliment on 14/11/2007 and completed its passage through the House of Lords on 31/3/2008. It has now moved to the House of Commons for consideration and the aim is to get Royal Assent by fall 2008.
The reason why I support it is simply - the world is in deep shit. I am already trying to cut my personal carbon emission and reduce energy use, but that is not enough. To reduce this environmental degradation will need cooperation of everyone, namely the government and the industrial sector. However, development of higher efficiency manufacturing process and shift to greener production methods means a lot of money, and not everyone willing to do it. This is when legislation comes in.
This is my reason, you can take mine or have you own reason. but it is important that you understand how bad is the environment and the importance of having this Bill.
Here is the lastest version of the Climate Change Bill (as amended in public bill committee)
HOWEVER, there is one defect in this Climate Change Bill - the carbon emission of international aviation and shipping is NOT taking into account.

'Emissions of greenhouse gases from international aviation or international shipping do not count as emissions from sources in the United Kingdom for the purposes of this Part, except as provided by regulations made by the Secretary of State' 29, Part one, Climate Change Bill

That means, UK can re-locate all the factories to China and Vietnam and ship them all the way back to UK, and the carbon account is going to drop (apparent). But the fact is, long distance transportation is actually a very big source of pollution. Having a Climate Change Bill without a requirement on shipping and aviation emission control is like throwing all your rubbish to your neighbour's garden.

The Big Ask

Relocation of factories and the emission causes by shipping and aviation is inevitable. However, UK government do have to take care of their own piss. Moreover, the emission caused by international transportation is officially required to report to the UN required by Kyoto Protocol. There is no reason not to take this sector into account (see here).
The Big Ask , launched in May 2005 by the Friends of the Earth, is a campaign originally calling for this new Climate Change Bill. Now the campaign has enter a next and probably the final stage, which encourage the supporters of the campaign to urge their MPs to support a Climage Change Bill that:

1.Iim to cut emission for 80% by 2050 compare to 1990 levels
2.Include emission from international shipping and aviation into the bill
3.Include Annual Target

Here is a video about The Big Ask Campaign, featuring Keanu Reeves and Thom York from Radiohead (My Hero!!!)


The Big Ask also launched The Big Ask Web March, which allow the supporters to voice their opinion toward the climate law by posting a video.
I am going to post a video soon, I am still thinking about what to say and how to present it. YOU should do one as well!!!

(by the way, when I browse through other people's video, there was a video with a Hong Kong girl, speak in cantonese, shares about how god gave her everything like her family, her boy friend, her life, etc. And she didn't mention climate change at all! What a loser she is!! go to church to go this kinda thing bitch!!)

8.19.2008

OMNIVORE engine by Lotus


The desire of clean energy is soaring. Having realized the importance and potential of renewable energy, more and more car manufacturers are starting to step into this green realm. Lotus, one of my favorite, is one of them.
Lotus Engineering has just announced a collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast and Jaguar Cars Ltd to develop an engine called OMNIVORE, which aim be able to use a wide range of fuel and maximize fuel efficiency when running on renewable fuels.

According to Lotus official website, The OMNIVORE concept will employ novel engine architecture to achieve a high thermal efficiency when fuelled on any alcohols or gasoline. This engine design is expected to significantly increase fuel efficiency for sustainable bio alcohol fuels. The architecture features an innovative variable compression ratio system and uses a two-stroke operating cycle with direct fuel injection. The OMNIVORE engine will be ideally suited to flex-fuel operation with a higher degree of optimisation than is possible with existing architectures.
Lotus Engineering is currently undertaking a design study and the build of a single cylinder research engine for completion in January 2009

Via Autobloggreen and Lotus

What is real nice, what can I say? Perhaps Lotus should start looking at EV as well
So this Omnivore will probably be in one of these sexy ladies!


8.17.2008

Great Houses

Nowadays, whether a building is a 'Green' is defined by the materials, the energy source, the process of construction, etc. There is another factor that I think is very important for defining 'Green Architecture' - the interaction between the building and the nature environment. This factor is usually ignored. To be fair, it is a hardest requirement to meet - how can you build a building that can interact with nature environment in the middle of a city? No way.
However, there is no lack of example of ultimate combination between nature and architecture. The Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright and Fransworth House are 2 of my favorites. For me, they are true integration of building and surrounding environment and they accompany the nature in the least obtrusive way. Is like a bird nest, too beautiful to be true

Farnsworth House
by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe



Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright


Image from their official website

Very very ugly solar hand bag


There are so many solar powered or solar power related accessories and they are taking over the world. But not all of them are good products and not all of them sale, definitely not the ugly ones.
This so-called solar hang bag is absolutely minging!!! It has got 2 transparent plastic handles which is definitely not cool according to today's fashion standard; the shape of the bag just like the one my grandma use, it is probably quite stylish 50 years ago; and look at those gold strips, what are they doing there?? SHOCKING!!

By the way just for your information, this is called Solarjo Power Purse designed by Joe Hynek. Hey, Joe if you see this post by any chance, my advice for you is to get a proper designer to rework you bag. Thx
p.s. in the photo why do you get a naked male model to hold the hand bag?

Via Inhabitat

8.16.2008

The Second Green Elf - MIDORI

Here we go again!! The second member of The Green Elf family - MIDORI
If you speak japanese, you probably understand what Midori means. It is the color of jade!! Midori is a youg female member of the family. She is cool, quite arrogant and her hair style change depend on her mood (my mood actually). She will bring bring you daily green tip with Boogie.G, who is spiritual leader of the family!! So, stay tuned for her appearance in Colors of Swallowtail!!

Copyright to MTSK

8.15.2008

The Green Glass

Beer always taste better when you drink out of a bottle or a pint glass. How about having both at the same time, i.e. drinking out of a bottle and a pint glass at the same time?

That sounds a bit silly, but Green Glass offers you the solution!

Using recycled bottles, Green Glass converts them into amazing goblets by cutting the bottom out and reconnect it to the neck of the bottle. What a simple idea but the result is fabulous! The product inherit the original curve, color and patterns of the bottle, which makes it unique naturally. Yet you have a brand new stylish glass, briliant!
According to some sources, it is the winner of Recycled Product of the Year Award 2001. I am not sure about the reliability of the information, but good product is good product, who cares?!


It is not really a pint glass, but you get the idea, haha.







There are other products made with recycled bottles available


Image for GreenGlass.co.uk

8.14.2008

NEW FEATURE LAUNCHED - The Green Elf

Colors of Swallowtail proudly present - Daily Green Tip by The Green Elf

Dear all the readers and greenies, The Green Elf family has just joined Colors of Swallowtail today and they are going to bring your a green and sustainable lifestyle tip everyday!! Nothing too Hardcore, just little tips, everyone can do and should do. The Green Elf family is created by MTSK (as in me). The first member of the family is Boogie.G, who is the spiritual leader of the family (a bit like dahlia lama). Stay Tuned for the other member of the family!!


Copyright to MTSK

8.13.2008

Very Very Cool Low Energy Light Bulb


"As with other HULGER products, The PLUMEN low energy light bulb concept is a reaction to the lack of real diversity, imagination and personality offered by the market today."

This is the beginning statement of Hulger's Plumen Project and it can not be more clear about what their aim is. Creativity should always be incorporated into any kind of products and boring products will not sale. This is what good green and sustainable design about.

To me, this light bulb design in The Plumen Project is a tough of genius. It is just one little idea that take the whole thing to another level. You don't even have to be a greenie to love. You wanna buy it not because it helps you to save £10 on your electricity bill, not because you wanna save the planet, it is because it is so cool!



Look at that!! That is just so chic!



Other possible variation of low energy light bulb

All Image from The Plumen Project

8.11.2008

Electric Car (developing) by Kyoto University

A electric car project developing by Kyoto University Venture Business Laboratory.
Their aims, according to their website, is to

"studying development of new and sophisticated devices using nano-technology, under the theme of “the approach at the atomic or molecular level to develop advanced electronic materials”. Today, environmental and energy fields are expected for much more improvement in the 21st Century’s sci-tech world. As a part of specific activities toward environmental and energy problems which are stated in Kyoto Protocol, we set two goals of the project; 1. To develop and research comprehensively for practical application of electric cars, and 2. To educate post graduated students."
The outcome of the project is expected to meet the following points:
1. Electrifying solar battery in remote region to ensure the sustainability of the energy source.
2. Minimize environmental footage of production by using advance and innovative technology and materials, e.g. biodegradable plastic
3. Integration of traditional Japanese art and craftmanship to create a function yet aesthetically present appearance.
4. Able to fit into user's daily lifestyle, e.g. battery charge station at convenience stores.
5. Allow international cooperation in further development.
6. Zero emission
Anyway, they are pretty ugly at the moment, I am really looking forward to improvement!!


11 Reasons for using Biodiesel


Image from Treehugger
Biodiesel ain’t no new thing. It has been a red hot debate topic for politicians as well as citizens recently. Despite the ongoing arguments about the energy balance and economic impacts such as food price, there are a number of significant environmental benefits for using biodiesel as an alternative of conventional fuel source. Here a list of benefit of using biodiesel:

1. Reduce emission, 78% less carbon dioxide emission than conventional diesel
2. The ingredient i.e. plant is inexhaustible in theory as they are derived from solar energy.
3. No modification is needed for modern diesel engine (post 1992) to use biodiesel.
4. It has a better lubricate property than petroleum based diesel fuel and is an excellent solvent. Blending 1% of biodiesel with conventional diesel increase the lubricity of the diesel up to 65%
5. Degrades 4X faster than petroleum based diesel
6. 10X less toxic then table-salt when there is an accidental spillage
7. Burn at high temperature, which reduce the risk of accidental ignition during transport
8. It can blend with conventional fuel to produce hybrid fuel (e.g. B20), which reduce carbon emission.
9. Free for sulphur impurities
10. Reduction of 94% carcinogenic properties in conventional diesel.
11. Independent energy source, reduce reliance on import fossil fuel.

Personally I am not a big fan of biodiesel as it is a solution to ease the pain but far from healing the wound. However, bear in mind our technologies for renewable energy is still very mediocre. So, before our power can go 100% green (we can or we actually doing that, thats 2 completely different stories), biodiesel seems an ideal life buoy.

What do you think?

8.07.2008

Lotte van Laatum

Another cool designer - Lotte van Laatum. Lotte van Laatum. She works as an independent designer within the designfield. In 2001 she graduated Cum Laude at Industrial Product Design at The Hague University.
At the moment Lotte works on the development of her own interior label. She also works on assignment for different companies and organisations.

Kaguya-hime, made of bamboo



PS, made of around 300 used coffee cups




Dutch Wood



Treecabinet

Tejo Remy and Rene Veenhuizen

Tejo Remy and Rene Veenhuizen are very amazing designers who use sustainable material (e.g. bamboo) and recycled material to create stunting furnitures.
As the site in not in english nor chinese, I can't give you more information about them as I can't understnad, haha. If you understand you can tell me. (i dont even know that language is that)

Bamboestoel


Melkflessenlamp


Meubilair voor Museum Boijmans van Beuningen


Voddenstoel


Ladenkast


Meubelobjecten voor de Raad voor de kinderbescherming


Make a space

Image from the official website

Fuck me, can someone tell me what language is that???

8.05.2008

WEEE Man

The WEEE Man, designed by London based designer Paul Bonomini, is a huge robotic figure made of scrap electrical and electronic equipment. Made of a steel tripodic framework and a wide range of electrical and electronic household products from the 10 categories of the WEEE directive, WEEE Man weighs 3.3 tonnes and stands seven meters tall – representing the average amount of e-products every single one of us throws away over a lifetime.
Horrifying giant of human daily waste

Image from flickr and Art of the State
WEEE stands for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. WEEE Man represents what burden that we are putting on the earth everyday. The message is crystal clear and it is time for re-examination and re-evaluation of our wasteful lifestyle. Do we have to get a new tv or mobile when they are full functional? Can we recycle it or reuse it? How about donating it to developing countries?
Think about it, bro.

Small Idea Big Message

These are some cool candle designed by Portuguese industrial designer Sergio Silva, who is based in Brooklyn, NYC. As the title of this post says, Small idea, Big message. This is another example of turning craps into wonders.I am not sure if the following vases are made with recycled materials, but they are cool.

Image from Sergio Silva website



Very pretty vases made with whatever material.

8.04.2008

Grab a cocktail and save the world

Good news from msn.

Drinking cocktails and saving the world at the same time might sound a bit dubious - but the people behind
Whitley Neill Gin reckon it can be done.
The gin brand has joined forces with the UK's top bartenders to launch a competition to raise money for charity, and they need your help.

"The Whitley Neill Top of the Tree Challenge" cocktail competition will raise funds for UK-based charity TREE AID, which supports African communities in the sub-Sahara.

Bartenders - including those from posh London nightclubs
Albannach, Kingly Club and Zuma - will be creating cocktails comprising Whitley Neill Gin, which has the fruit of the iconic African Baobab tree as a signature botanical.

Participating bars are offering their limited edition cocktails throughout August 2008, and will donate money from each cocktail sold to the Whitley Neill Planting Project in Africa.

Whitley Neill Gin already donates 5% of the proceeds of each bottle sold to TREE AID, which helps African villagers to transform their lives by growing, protecting and using trees sustainably and selling their seeds, fruits, leaves and nuts.

If you are in London, go chill out in these clubs and get a eco-friendly martini.

8.03.2008

RD legs by Cohda Design Limited


For people who keep their eyes on green designs must familiar with the RD (Roughly drawn) legs chair by Cohda Design. Its outrageous shape is created entirely with recycle domestic plastic and is hand made. The design is so cool and so green that it is widely recognized as one of the 00's major iconic ECO product. RD legs is the latest member of the recycle plastic furniture family created by Cohda and only 50 limited edition pieces will produce. Apparently the other members in the series are all limited editions, which is no longer available for purchase.
Truly amazing.

RD Legs



RD3


RD4


How it is made


The master behind - Richard G. Liddle

Images for Cohda Design and Inhabitat

8.02.2008

ecoSkin

I think fashion is a good starting point of green lifestyle, as that is what you need everyday. The thing about clothes is that, if it is not chic and comfy, even if you paid thousands of pound for it, you won't wear it. So if the clothes are comfy, are cool and are eco, you are going to love them and wear them frequently. After a while you realize that green products can be good products, you will start to adopt a green lifestyle and appreciate it. That is why I always emphasis that green products need more than eco-friendly manufacturing process and material, it must be well designed and functional.



Back to green fashion. The selection of today is ecoSkin. It is a green fashion brand owned and designed by Los Angeles-based designer Sandy Skinner. As Skinner mentioned in inhabitat, "My product is made of sustainable bamboo which grows in Asia. Bamboo does not grow in the US. The pulp is then woven into fabric in the U.S. Bamboo is 100% naturally grown and does not require any chemicals or pesticides. It is the worlds fastest growing plant and is actually a grass not a wood. It grows new shoots without any need to replant. This comes from the ground not animals. This product is also manufactured all in the US to adhere to strick fair trade practices.....Even the buttons are made from Coconut that has fallen to the ground."

Personally I love the material as well as the designs. The cutting of the dresses outlines the female figure sexily and elegantly. Choosing such a plain and simple style suggests that Skinner understands "less is more". And most importantly (to me), the model is DAMN HOT!

ecoSkin 2008 Spring Collection





Images from ecoSkin and Inhabitat

8.01.2008

the eco-design handbook

I was in London last couple of days so I couldn't update the blog. I went to the MAZE restaurant by Gordon Ramsay and it was absolutely amazing. I went there with 3 of my friends during lunch time. We had 4 courses set lunch and it only cost £28 per person. Bear in mind that MAZE is a one Michelin Starred restaurant so that was a very good value for money.
Fucking brilliant, lets go everyone!

Anyway, I discovered a book in Waterstone called 'the eco-design handbook'. It is very very nice book that provide a large collection of modern eco-design. I love that book so much and it is like a bible to me. But somehow, I didn't buy it. It is a fully color-printed book and the layout is very well organized. The collection of design is massive, which includes everything you can imagine from daily necessity to weird gadgets.
Apparently it is a very famous book. I wonder why I only discover this recently......