Photo credit: Tammy Fender
As a recovering broke-ass grad student whose idea of luxury was splurging on Bath & Body Works rather than St. Ives, I'll be the first to admit that slapping down $130 for a skincare product is a little cray-cray. Then again, there's truth in the adage that you get what you pay for—that's what separates the Frédéric Fekkais from the, you know, Suaves of the world—and I know women who wouldn't think twice about hocking vital organs piecemeal to keep their faces slathered in Crème de la Mer. So your mileage, as they say, may vary. ...Read the full story on TreeHuggerPosts Tagged ‘Photo Credit’
Tammy Fender Epi-Peel and Intensive Repair Balm Feed Both Body and Soul
Friday, July 31st, 2009
Photo credit: Tammy Fender
As a recovering broke-ass grad student whose idea of luxury was splurging on Bath & Body Works rather than St. Ives, I'll be the first to admit that slapping down $130 for a skincare product is a little cray-cray. Then again, there's truth in the adage that you get what you pay for—that's what separates the Frédéric Fekkais from the, you know, Suaves of the world—and I know women who wouldn't think twice about hocking vital organs piecemeal to keep their faces slathered in Crème de la Mer. So your mileage, as they say, may vary. ...Read the full story on TreeHuggerArctic Tundra Undergoing Major Changes As it Warms, Studies Show
Friday, July 31st, 2009
Several recent studies show that the rapid warming of Arctic tundra is leading to a host of sweeping changes, including more extensive fires, the growth of larger vegetation, more absorption of solar energy, melting permafrost, and substantially larger releases of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases. Taken together, the studies demonstrate that rising temperatures set in motion a vicious circle of more warming and higher releases of greenhouse gases. In Alaska, scientists studying a 2007 fire that burned nearly 400 square miles of the Brooks Range found that the burned tundra lost 40 to 120 grams of carbon per square meter, while pristine tundra absorbed 30 to 70 grams. Burned tundra also absorbed 71 percent more solar radiation than normal and caused permafrost to melt to a depth of several inches. A study in the Canadian Arctic has shown that tundra vegetation is becoming weedier, larger, and darker, significantly increasing the amount of absorbed sunlight and further boosting temperatures. The study also showed the warming tundra giving off unexpectedly high levels of methane and nitrous oxide. And in Scandinavia researchers found that by warming Arctic peatlands by nearly 2 degrees F over eight years, the tundra released an extra 60 percent CO2 in spring and 52 percent in summer, according to a study in the journal, Nature.
This piece originally appeared on Yale Environment 360
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(Posted by Yale Environment 360 in Climate Change at 12:25 PM)
5 Sizzling Sustainable Sunglasses For Soaking in the Rays
Friday, July 31st, 2009
Photo credit: Getty Images
The heat is on! Keep the glare out of your eyes—and protect those precious peepers of yours—with a pair of UV-deflecting shades. We've rounded up five of the most environmentally friendly sunglasses around, including two fresh new styles that launched within the past few weeks. (Don't forget your sunblock!)...Read the full story on TreeHuggerFIRST LOOK: Stewart + Brown Fall 2009 Collection (Slideshow)
Friday, July 31st, 2009
Photo credit: Stewart + Brown
When Howard Brown of Stewart + Brown asked TreeHugger if we wanted to break the news of the label's freshly shipped fall 2009 collection, including never-before-seen photos, it took every ounce of self-control not to pummel his electronic in-box with a volley of ALL CAPS and exclamation points. And because we couldn't decide which pieces were our favorites, we made a snap editorial judgement to give you practically the entire kit and caboodle, presented in the full-technicolor glory that is The Slideshow.
Click on through to view more than 30 fresh new looks that will have...Read the full story on TreeHuggerActress Fran Drescher to Launch Organic Skincare Line with HSN
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
Photo credit: Getty Images
This just in: Fran Drescher will be launching a line of organic, paraben-free skincare products exclusively with HSN this fall. The nasal-voiced comedian's nine-piece collection, dubbed FranBrand, will comprise a cleanser, toner, gel, day lotion, eye gel, night eye cream, night face cream, body moisturizer, face serum, and lip balm.
Drescher, a uterine cancer survivor and founder of the cancer nonprofit Cancer Schmancer, worked for more than a year with a chemist in California and an organic manufacturing plant in Oregon to develop the products. ...Read the full story on TreeHuggerEnergy Efficiency Gains in U.S. Could Cut Sharply Energy Use, Study Says
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
A crash program to improve the energy efficiency of American homes, offices, and factories could slash energy consumption by 23 percent by 2020 and produce $1.2 trillion in savings, according to a report by the McKinsey consulting firm. McKinsey said that taking steps such as better insulating buildings, replacing old appliances, and sealing ducts is the fastest and best way to cut the country’s energy consumption. The firm recommended an investment of $520 billion in energy efficiency programs over the next 10 years, an amount that dwarfs the $10 billion to $15 billion included in the Obama administration’s economic stimulus package. McKinsey executives acknowledged that carrying out such an efficiency program on a large scale faces numerous challenges, including the reluctance of homeowners and businesses to invest sizeable sums of money and a lack of tax breaks and other financial incentives for efficiency improvements. Still, the McKinsey report said that better education of homeowners and businesses, tighter building codes, stricter efficiency requirements for appliances, and the creation of greater incentives could go a long way toward cutting the U.S.’s wasteful energy use.
This piece originally appeared on Yale Environment 360
Related Posts:
Better Buildings Soon? Energy And Climate Bill Would Set National Energy Codes
The Real Green Building Challenge: Creating Policy That Works
Does Green Building Have to Break the Bank?
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(Posted by Yale Environment 360 in Energy at 1:05 PM)
BlueQ’s Recycled Bags Make Teeny-Bopper Hipster Gear Harder to Hate
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
Photo credit: BlueQ
There are companies that make us roll our eyes, heave a world-weary sigh, or clutch our heads like stunned monkeys. BlueQ, a line of novelty home, fashion, and beauty products that frequently skirt the limits of taste and political correctness (see: Cat Butts, Looking Good for Jesus, Miso Pretty), has been known to produce all three reactions simultaneously—usually while we're waving our canes and barking at whippersnappers to get off our damn lawns.
BlueQ's latest series of totes, shoppers, pouches, and coin purses, however, are winning over even the fustiest fuddy-duddies among us with their bold graphic prin...Read the full story on TreeHuggerLondon To Plant 2m Trees by 2025, Says Mayor’s Office
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
Press Association
Mayor's adviser announces plans to make London 'greener, cleaner and more civilised' with 2m tree plan
London needs more parkland and to plant more trees to combat predicted rises in summer temperatures, an environment chief said today.
Mayor Boris Johnson's environment adviser Isabel Dedring said climate projections showed average summer temperatures in London could be some 3.9C higher than today by 2080, and as much as 6C to 10C on the hottest days.
The "urban heat island effect" in which buildings absorb and release heat, maintaining a higher temperature in cities than surrounding areas, means London temperatures will continue to be higher than other parts of the south-east.
But a study from Manchester suggests that increasing the amount of greenery in a city by 10% could offset the higher temperatures.
The mayor's environment plan is aiming to increase tree cover across the capital by 5% – an extra 2m trees – by 2025.
The programme, Leading to a Greener London, also involves plans for an increase in green space in inner London by 5%, including green roofs and more trees in streets. A green roof features waterproofing and drainage layers topped with soil and plants.
Other measures to make the capital "greener, cleaner and more civilised" include pilot schemes which will pay householders to recycle.
"Trees in streets have a very positive air-quality effect," Dedring added.
This piece originally appeared on guardian.co.uk
Learn more about tree-planting in the Worldchanging archives:
61 Trees Per Person
Trees: The Anti-Desert
Design Times Square: The Urban Forest Project
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(Posted by WorldChanging Team in Urban Design and Planning at 12:19 PM)
Get the Goods on Pangea Organics’ Sustainable Packaging at PRINT’s Live Webcast
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
Photo credit: Pangea Organics
PRINT is hosting a live Webcast on Aug. 4 with Joshua Onysko, founder and CEO of Pangea Organics, as well as Josh Ivy, the skincare company's lead designer.
The design magazine will be recognizing Pangea in its October issue as an outstanding example of sustainable design—the fi...Read the full story on TreeHugger8 Designer Bicycles Two-Wheeling Fashionistas Will Want to be Caught Dead On (Slideshow)
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
Photo credit: Cynthia Rowley
Maybe it's a case of Fairy Godmother Syndrome gone amuck, but the task of elevating the humble bicycle from carbon-neutral mode of transport to chic status symbol is all the rage these days, with a slew of two-wheeled offerings trundling from the runway to the bikeway.
But when you start tossing around names like Fendi, Gucci, and Chanel, you bet your bottom dollar you'll need pockets deeper than the Marianas trench—most of these rides come at an über-hefty premium. Impractical...Read the full story on TreeHugger