The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference begins December 7th, just a few weeks from now. 192 nations of the world, IGOs, NGOs and the press will gather to talk about the problems and potential solutions to climate change.

It’s a massively complicated issue and the meetings will likely end without answers and actions as definitive as many of us hope for. But there is hope. As reported in The Washington Post, President Obama has come “tantalizingly close to saying what the rest of the world has been waiting years to hear: that next month the United States, the largest per capita e...Read More

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From Studio 1am, one of my favorite Chicago-based design studios, the MeasureMe Stick is as simple as the name implies, but as useful as any kid could imagine. The wall-mounted oversized board transforms the traditional ruler into a playful object useful for SO much more than measuring your child's height every month. Teach math, have them measure and add the height of their playthings, guess how tall daddy is, and more. Each piece is made from bamboo and non-toxic finishes, and is available in three vibrant colors from Studio 1am.

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Spools of kraft paper are diverted to recycled paper mills.

Green champions show up in unusual places. Temple Texas, for example, is the home of Wilsonart, the leading producer of high-pressure decorative laminate in North America. It is also the first laminate company to receive Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain of custody certification from Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), the global leader in third-party evaluation of environmental and sustainability claims.

Surprised that a p-lam manufacturer (yes, the “p” stands for plastic) would be recognized for its enviro...Read More

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New from Branch, these colorful and graphic tea towels might almost be too pretty to soil. Made from organic cotton grown and manufactured in India, the "Apple" and "Kitchen" tea towels bring a little sunshine to any sinkside spot, and at  27.5" long x 19.7" wide, are large enough to masquerade as a cheerful table spread. They even come in a cardboard envelope, ready to be given to your favorite chef. ...Read More

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Even in your child's most mundane moments, like turning on the play room light, make sure they're aware of their energy use. Designer Tim Holley designed the clever and cute Tio ghost as a way to inform kids, in a fun way, of how much electricity they use. The Tio shines green when he is happy (when lights have only been on for an hour or less), and slowly turns to yellow when he's "medium," and red when he's angry (when the lights have been on for over eight hours). It's a fun take on a serious subject, but probably incredibly effective at bringing energy conservation "to light" for the younger generation.

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I’m heading to the Phoenix airport on my way home from Greenbuild. I’ve been to them all, from the early “Membership Meetings” where the whole organization fit in one room and everyone knew each other, to the super-charged mega-conferences of recent years. I’m pretty sure this one is my favorite.

No one, least of all USGBC, expected 28,000 people to show up for a conference in this lousy economy. But they did and brought with them the passion and enthusiasm that typifies our community, but more so it seems to me. I’m just guessing here but it may be the same economic hardships that have us so down that in turn brought us closer together for these three days in Phoenix.

Al Gore&rsqu...Read More

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I am a huge fan of Artecnica's line of accessories and designed objects, particularly their socially responsible Design With Conscience products. Apparently so was TBWA Advertising Agency, who requested Artecnica to recycle their large format billboards into something special. The result: Artecnica's newest release, Stretch Bags, useful totes that emerge from a single, strategically sliced piece of fabric. Made from 100% recycled advertising campaign billboards, the die-cut, glueless, stitchless fabric is inspired by symmetry found in nature. The two-dimensional form stretches...Read More

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The Valley of the Sun is filled with green people. More than 24,000 of us, according to estimates, have collected in Phoenix for Greenbuild. This is the eighth edition of the annual conference and it continues to be the premier gathering of the green building community.

Of course I’m looking forward to the program. Disclosure: I’m on the Greenbuild Program Committee and help put the educational sessions together. I can vouch for the quality of the presentations, including a dynamite list of master speakers. The keynotes will not disappoint: Al Gore is the opening act for Sheryl Crow and Carol Browner closes on Friday. I know I’ll find some great new pro...Read More

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The form for the Brave New World Lamp came as a direct inspiration from scaffolding techniques in East Asia, where bamboo is notched together to produce one of the strongest (and most inexpensive) makeshift building structures. The lamp, designed by UK-based Freshwest, was developed in a similar "scrap-together" manner, without a design or plan in place. Each piece of wood is carefully notched to the next, forming a beautifully sturdy and intricate mechanical structure. Distributed by Moooi.

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The ANDREA air filter, previously just a concept known as the Bel-Air, is now available for purchase! French designer Mathieu Lehanneur conceived of ANDREA as a home air filter that natually purifies air using nature's best technology: plants. With insights from Harvard professor David Edward, the pod houses plants in the top portion, which purifies air and eliminiates toxins in the air. The device pulls air in through a quiet fan device, which propels the air through the leaves and root system of a plant, then out through the soil and back into the room. The best part? You ca...Read More

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Does the world, or your library, need another countertop material? Actually, yes when one as terrific as ECO comes along. I first saw it installed in a green showhouse and was wowed by its looks – an almost pure white polished surface – just one of 10 colorways.

But looks, as we know, are skin deep. ECO’s real story is deeply green and a compelling example of corporate commitment to environmental excellence.

Its green attributes begin with the raw materials. 75 percent are derived from post industrial or post consumer recycled materials: mirrors salvaged from houses, building and factories; glass from windshields, windows and bottles; gr...Read More

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As a kid, I would have gone gaga over this OFFI Spaceframe Builder's Kit, which is on sale right now (half off!) via Design Public. The building block system is made from recycled soda bottles to form rigid felt-ish building modules. They can be combined in any number of ways to create space ships, houses, dinosaurs and more. Perfect for your little budding architect, or maybe also for the corner of your home office. $99 at Design Public.

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