Alaskan Capital Cuts Power Consumption By 40% : Environmental News Blog | Environmental Graffiti

Alaska’s capital city lost its main power transmission lines in a series of avalanches earlier this month, cutting it off from a relatively cheap source of power at a hydroelectric dam, and leaving it to draw from backup generators that cost nearly five times as much. Faced with the tough decision that such a large increase in utility bills can present, the city did what many have speculated the western world is incapable of: they cut back.

Beating the Energy Efficiency Paradox (Part I) : TreeHugger

Skeptics such as the Energy Tribune’s Robert Bryce point out that total energy use in the United States continues to rise, despite efficiency gains. Per capita, we’re using more energy even as sales of hybrid cars increase and more green buildings get erected.

Gogglemarks - Backyard Composter

Since it’s essentially just a drum on a fixed axle with some holes poked in it, it was fairly easy to build one myself on the cheap. I settled on a design that maximizes air and drainage, keeping the compost moist but not wet, and aerated but not dry. I did it for about forty bucks, and it didn’t really take any special tools.

BRENT HATCH

I’m just a regular guy that knows very little about motors, efficiency, etc. Man, some engineer should be able to have a field day coming up with all kinds of solar powered alternatives to our mobile lives. I should be able to see some wacky professor on TV showing off all this stuff. Everybody is getting more conscious about making small contributions to a “greener” community. So I think people would be willing to consider some lifestyle adjustments, if presented with some alternatives like this bike.

Greensburg, Kansas: Extraordinary Transformation : TreeHugger

Imagine a community for 1500 people designed as a state of the art working model for green building and energy, hybrid design efficiency and genuine intelligent design. A community that generates revenue by producing excess energy, has superior air and water quality, and a world class infrastructure that enables and enhances the very essence of community. A community that quite simply is a better place to grow, work, live and raise families, and that shows that when humans do our very best work that we are simply amazing and in fact, a force of and for nature in our own right. That’s what Greensburg, Kansas is set to become. (For more on Greensburg’s events see their blog).

On the other hand, it only takes a few seconds to fill the tanks with compressed air.

The Air-Powered Motorcycle by Jem Stansfield : TreeHugger

He took carbon-fiber air tanks that are usually used by firefighters as part of their breathing equipment and connected them to two rotary air engines that drive the rear wheel. One of the benefits of using compressed air over batteries is that you can recharge in a few seconds.

Earth Day Don’ts : The Alternative Consumer

BigBelly Solar Trash Receptacle : The Alternative Consumer

The BigBelly is a self-powered compacting trash receptacle. Instead of drawing electricity from the power grid this trash can uses solar power for 100% of its energy.

More towns committing to green movement | APP.com | Asbury Park Press

Many local governments across New Jersey and the nation are also taking formal steps to “go green.”

Some examples: Westwood is converting its fleet of police cars to gas-saving hybrids. Austin, Texas, is planning to power all city-owned buildings with renewable energy by 2020 and require new single-family homes to do the same within a decade. Warwick, R.I., has is using more efficient LED lights in all its traffic signals.