I found this used battery near the ocean in Pacifica, right across from our friend Rick’s Salada Beach Cafe. It has since been safely recycled, and kept from polluting our waterways.

Our oceans are already turning into acid. We have to start today to try to make things better. Keeping one more toxic battery or piece of plastic out of our oceans, collectively, will make a difference. Once you start looking, you may be really surprised just how many “disposable” batteries litter our streets and sewers. Next time you see one, pick it up; what you do matters.

Read more of this story »

Chrysler is arguably in the toughest shape of the Big Three Detroit automakers, both financially and with its future lineup. You can point plenty of fingers at reasons why, including the lack of effective, fuel efficient vehicles, but Chrysler was once considered the most innovative of the big three, always thinking big while breaking the bank.

One little-known car from the annals of the Auburn Hills automaker is the Patriot, a purpose built hybrid electric race car that was to use turbines and natural gas to achieve purported speeds of 200 mph.

Read more of this story »

Alternative-fuel supercars really seem to be picking up steam. Hybrid Lamborghinis? Electric Gullwings? All very cool stuff, but the field is quickly becoming crowded by competitors to the eco-supercar crown. A new California-based company called Steenstra GCM has announced the Styletto, “the first 200-mph-plus super sports car to be built in California” according to the press release.

Read more of this story »

PRESS RELEASE:

FIRST AMERICAN 200 MPH PLUS ZERO EMISSION SUPER SPORTS CAR TO BE BUILT IN CALIFORNIA

MISSION VIEJO, CA Sep 7, 2009: Renowned international car designer Cornelis Steenstra has just released the first images of his latest project, a zero emission super sports car called STYLETTO. This first American zero-emission super car offers a low slung, extremely aerodynamic body, gull-wing type doors and ample seating to properly accommodate 2 occupants in a space not normally found in these types of exotics.

Steenstra earned his stripes as designer at Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and Mazda’s European Studios, and was Strategic Design Manager Europe for Hyundai/Kia in Germany, before starting his independent consultancy Foresee Car Design, Inc., in California. Aside from his normal consultancy work for Porsche in Germany, Steenstra also executed a myriad of projects for OEM companies like Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, MG-Rover, Peugeot and Fisker, and was involved with several start-up companies, including several “clean vehicle technology” companies.

Combining all this experience, Steenstra teamed up with a group of very experienced automotive industry professionals, and set out to develop a new range of vehicles that would represent the best in American automotive engineering and technology. This range of vehicles, of which the STYLETTO is the first, are targeting the exclusive sports car market currently dominated by Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche, with passionate offerings that excel in design, engineering, build quality and are environmentally responsible, producing zero emissions.

“I grew up with a passion for transportation and motor racing, and have always felt that people should and could enjoy driving passionate performance automobiles while still retaining their responsibility toward the environment. These are desires that can very well be enjoyed together” says Steenstra.

Steenstra and his team are currently in negotiations with several investment firms for this ambitious venture, and are aiming to have drivable prototypes of the STYLETTO ready in time for the 2010 Pebble Beach Concourse d’ Elegance. Limited series production of this first offering is scheduled to start in March 2013.

Steenstra GCM, founded in 2009 by Foresee Ltd, is a privately owned American company producing high-end zero mission performance automobiles. Situated in Mission Viejo, California, Steenstra GCM is headed by Cornelis Steenstra as Chief Executive Officer, Robert Bruns as Chief Financial Officer, Hans-Peter Hemmer as Vice President of Engineering and Mario Greco as Vice President of Chassis Development.

Foresee Car Design, Inc., Founded in 2001, is a privately owned American independent design consultancy based in Mission Viejo, California. Founded by Cornelis Steenstra, Foresee Car Design, Inc. has executed projects for Porsche, Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, Subaru, MG Rover, Peugeot, Icon Aircraft, DAF Trucks, Scania, Terex, Honda, Suzuki, Beijing Auto and many more.

UK luxury car-manufacturer Aston Martin has teamed up with Toyota in a trail-blazing deal to make a ‘cheap’ version of the Toyota iQ for £20,000 ($32,000), making it the world’s smallest luxury supermini.

The new model, called the Aston Martin Cygnet, will be offered to the company’s existing customers (and those with vehicles on order) by the end of the year and will go on general sale following an introductory period.

Read more of this story »

Debbie Bliss Eco is an organic cotton that is the perfect aran/worsted weight yarn that comes in eighteen bright colors great for the turn of the season. The yarn is dyed using non-toxic dyes and the water is reclaimed and recycled during the dying process.

Read more of this story »

I know we’ve already sang the praises of hemp but it stands to be repeated. Hemp is a fast growing plant that is pest resistant reducing the need for both water and pesticides and herbicides. Hemp also helps nourish the soil right where it is planted, reducing the need for fertilizer.

Read more of this story »

Now keep your thinking caps on because you’ll need your amazing eco-consciousness to help you with this next contest.

In celebration of Earth Day, Modish and Cosa Verde have teamed up to giveaway an amazing prize pack of eco-goodness for the occasion. I am simply in awe of the amount of goodies in this giveaway.

Read more of this story »

Caron yarns has a new entry into our yarn vernacular called Simply Soft Eco. Simply Soft Eco is similar to Caron’s other yarns made from acrylic, but contains 20% of recycled PET content.

If you recall PET is plastic water or soda bottles and is popping up in recycled form in various places such as EcoFelt, fabric blends, clothing, bags, and even boats! What I find really wonderful about this yarn is that it has recycled content, a huge selection of colors and that it is available in big box stores - great for when you don’t have access to a small indie shop.

Read more of this story »

Thank you to everyone who entered. We here at CAGW have been rejuvenated and inspired by all of your upcycling ideas! Don’t forget your other chances to win this beautiful book, you can find out where to enter here.

I know you’ve waited with bated breath so here it is, your chance to win a copy of Sewing Green, the latest and greatest book by Betz White, author of Warm Fuzzies.

Sewing Green offers 25 cute projects made from repurposed or organic materials. Learn how to make aprons and wallets from dress shirts, and sandwich wraps, and lounge pants from organic and thrifted fabrics. The projects are are direct and easy to follow even for this crafter who likes to skip ahead and tweak things. I especially like the sandwich wrap project and the use of PUL - a material that is not vinyl and one that I need to look into more.

White’s favorite project from the book is the woodland draft buster, a much more refined version of the draft catcher that I created a while back. This version looks like an adorable tree branch that helps you save money on your heating bill. White wanted everything in the book to have a good purpose without being preachy. She wanted everything to be fun and easy and show that any one can do these projects and be eco-friendly. “You don’t have to suffer,” she said. “Suffering is not involved.”

Continue reading to enter the contest!

Read more of this story »

First up - our own Becky Striepe will be speaking on a panel called Crafting a Green Craft. She will share the stage with the co-founders of Cosa Verde and the owners of Urban Fauna Studio. These amazing crafters will be talking about the ins and outs of green crafting - something that you see right here on Crafting a Green World.

Read more of this story »

Sublime offers soft and soothing colors that seem perfect for this time of year. They come in organic cotton as well as organic merino wool. Organic options enough for everyone.

Read more of this story »

Sewing Green is chock full of fun diy projects made from repurposed materials or organic fabrics. And if you’re like me, you can’t wait to get your hands on it! Well here on Crafting a Green World we’ll be giving a copy of this book away to one lucky reader! That’s right you can win Sewing Green! Woo hoo!

So how do you enter? Read the directions over on the Giveaway post. It’s that easy.

Want even more chance to win?

Read more of this story »

To upcycle all’s you need to do is take ordinary materials, craft left overs or items destined for the trash or recycle bin, and turn them into something new and better.

Once you do that, you can enter your new and improved crafty awesome into the Upcycle Contest with Sublime Stitching.

Read more of this story »

From wool and wool blends to soysilk yarns, Midnightsky offers hand spun and hand dyed yarns and fibers. Special emphasis is placed on wool and wool blends with all natural and environmentally-friendly fibers used in the blends.

All of their yarns and fibers are available in their natural state, dyed, or hand painted, in addition to a number of fiber clubs and sock yarn clubs. They source their yarns and fibers from other small companies committed to supporting small artists and environmental issues.

Read more of this story »

In conjunction with my Guest Curatorial post on the Storque, I will be sidling up to my computer to share some awesome Etsy finds that are both amazing and green to boot in a Shop Live.

If you’ve never participated in a virtual labs, this is a great way to get your feet wet and learn a bit more about the fabulous crafters that we highlight here on Crafting a Green World. I will be showcasing more of these eco-crafters and how their creative contributions are helping to lighten our environmental footstep.

So tune in today March 26 at 6 pm EST!

PRESS RELEASE:

FIRST AMERICAN 200 MPH PLUS ZERO EMISSION SUPER SPORTS CAR TO BE BUILT IN CALIFORNIA

MISSION VIEJO, CA Sep 7, 2009: Renowned international car designer Cornelis Steenstra has just released the first images of his latest project, a zero emission super sports car called STYLETTO. This first American zero-emission super car offers a low slung, extremely aerodynamic body, gull-wing type doors and ample seating to properly accommodate 2 occupants in a space not normally found in these types of exotics.

Steenstra earned his stripes as designer at Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and Mazda’s European Studios, and was Strategic Design Manager Europe for Hyundai/Kia in Germany, before starting his independent consultancy Foresee Car Design, Inc., in California. Aside from his normal consultancy work for Porsche in Germany, Steenstra also executed a myriad of projects for OEM companies like Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, MG-Rover, Peugeot and Fisker, and was involved with several start-up companies, including several “clean vehicle technology” companies.

Combining all this experience, Steenstra teamed up with a group of very experienced automotive industry professionals, and set out to develop a new range of vehicles that would represent the best in American automotive engineering and technology. This range of vehicles, of which the STYLETTO is the first, are targeting the exclusive sports car market currently dominated by Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche, with passionate offerings that excel in design, engineering, build quality and are environmentally responsible, producing zero emissions.

“I grew up with a passion for transportation and motor racing, and have always felt that people should and could enjoy driving passionate performance automobiles while still retaining their responsibility toward the environment. These are desires that can very well be enjoyed together” says Steenstra.

Steenstra and his team are currently in negotiations with several investment firms for this ambitious venture, and are aiming to have drivable prototypes of the STYLETTO ready in time for the 2010 Pebble Beach Concourse d’ Elegance. Limited series production of this first offering is scheduled to start in March 2013.

Steenstra GCM, founded in 2009 by Foresee Ltd, is a privately owned American company producing high-end zero mission performance automobiles. Situated in Mission Viejo, California, Steenstra GCM is headed by Cornelis Steenstra as Chief Executive Officer, Robert Bruns as Chief Financial Officer, Hans-Peter Hemmer as Vice President of Engineering and Mario Greco as Vice President of Chassis Development.

Foresee Car Design, Inc., Founded in 2001, is a privately owned American independent design consultancy based in Mission Viejo, California. Founded by Cornelis Steenstra, Foresee Car Design, Inc. has executed projects for Porsche, Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, Subaru, MG Rover, Peugeot, Icon Aircraft, DAF Trucks, Scania, Terex, Honda, Suzuki, Beijing Auto and many more.

On Wednesday, Al Gore threw his considerable support behind a new social venture that aims to secure the .eco domain name. Dot Eco LLC’s founders say that by financing environmental initiatives with a positive impact on the environment, the new domain will be much more than a trendy label.

Founded by Fred Krueger and Clark Landry in 2008, the new social venture’s charter states that profits from .eco registration fees will be used to fund scientific initiatives and research in climate change, ocean analysis, and economic policy, among others.

“We fully support Dot Eco LLC in its efforts to secure the .eco top level domain through the ICANN application process and look forward to working with Dot Eco LLC to promote .eco,” said Gore. Speaking on behalf of the Alliance for Climate Protection, Gore said “This is a truly exciting opportunity for the environmental movement and for the internet as a whole.”

Read more of this story »

It is always exciting to make a new, fun discovery in the eco world and my latest is Amy Butler Design.  Amy designs fabric, patterns, stationery and other Midwest modern accessories for you and your home.  Actually, she has been doing this for some time and has graced many magazines and websites.  But upon further investigation, you really could get yourself lost in her world.

Read more of this story »

Are you like millions of others who assume that an online business, just by virtue of being online, translates to having a lower carbon footprint?  If so, then you are in for a shock. Although this is a fairly common assumption, the truth is that internet powered businesses often have a higher energy consumption requirements than offline businesses and so might have a long way to go before they can become green.

And the situation looks like it could get worse over the next few years. Get this….

• According to the EPA, over the next five years, power failures and limits on availability will stop operations at more than 90% of data centers
• Gartner predicts that early 50% of data centers worldwide will have trouble finding the electricity they need to cool and power their computing equipment
• 97% of respondents in a new survey conducted by the Business Performance Management Forum (BPM) said that it was important for internet and e-commerce businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.

But despite this, very little action is being taken by online businesses to reduce energy consumption.

Read more of this story »

For the first time ever, kids are ‘burnin’ down the house’ with ideas and innovation to pitch renowned PBS hub WGHB for 3 to 5 minute youth videos on how climate change affects kids’ own community environs, vying for $2000 production grants and potential PBS airing.

WGBH has made it even hotter for green teens by hosting ongoing webinars starting Feb. 3rd to help kids conceptualize, remix, pitch ideas and amass public opinion…(accessible via archive too, so don’t sweat the date)

Popular pioneer vloggers Ryanne Hodson (who I can attest is very generous with her knowledge, as I’ve attended her Media Center how-tos and checked out her book) and Jay Dedman (her partner, former CNN journalist/co-founder of Yahoo’s videoblogging group) will contribute their skill sets to get kids started. Partner org Teachers Domain makes it a cinch for students to get up to speed with factoids and resources too. The inspiration for the contest? The Frontline documentary, “Heat” all about global warming and businesses’ reactions in the court of public opinion contributing to make or break success. Deadline for entries at WBGH is March 15, 2009. Next up on the eco-competitions…

Read more of this story »