OECD lists three steps for sustainable raw materials policy
by: Euractive, 2010-10-29 06:44:58 UTC

Green public procurement, eco-labelling and producer responsibility were listed among possible policy options to reduce raw materials consumption in the manufacturing sector, amid growing pressure to decouple economic growth from rising natural resource use.

Photo by Taslima Akhter: On the Plight of Bangladeshi Garment Workers
by: Design Observer: Main Posts, 2010-10-27 14:57:39 UTC
Photo by Taslima Akhter showing living conditions for Bangladesh's garment workers.

TEDTalks : Eben Bayer: Are mushrooms the new plastic? - Eben Bayer (2010)
by: TEDTalks (video), 2010-10-04 09:00:00 UTC
Product designer Eben Bayer reveals his recipe for a new, fungus-based packaging material that protects fragile stuff like furniture, plasma screens -- and the environment.

Porsche Planning Hybrid Version of All Models
by: Eco Geek Latest, 2010-10-20 16:41:00 UTC

Porsche announced in Automotive News Europe that they will make a hybrid version of every model in its current lineup.  For lovers of high-performance hybrid sports cars (like the Porsche 918 hybrid supercar pictured above), this is pretty exciting news.

Porsche actually had the world's first hybrid car over 100 years ago, but didn't continue making them when gas became super cheap, but this time around, the carmaker is really committing.  The reason for that commitment is that the European Union has introduced much stricter emissions regulations.  Porsche is required to cut its average emissions from 255 grams per kilometer to 216 in the next five years.  Several hybrids in its lineup will help to make those cuts.

The hybrid drivetrain being used in the already-released hybrid Cayenne model will be used in other models.  The carmaker also plans to try using turbocharged four-cylinder engines and cutting weight across the board to improve its fleet's efficiency.

via Wired Autopia

This May Be the Prius Minivan
by: Eco Geek Latest, 2010-10-27 18:39:49 UTC

In the last few months, Toyota has announced a series of new hybrids, one of which will be the first expansion of their very popular Prius -- a Prius MPV.  Pictures posted on Autoblog's Italian site - and seen above -- are apparently of that larger, roomier version.

The Autoblog post says that the leaked pictures are of the Prius Verso MPV that will debut at the Detroit Auto Show.  The blog states it will use the Prius hybrid HSD platform and have a total output of 138 hp.

As previous reports have stated, it will be able to seat seven passengers in three rows and will be the first hybrid minivan to hit the market.

No other details have been released, like MPGs or exact production dates.  From the pictures, well, it looks like a Prius that's a minivan.

via Autoblog.it

TEDTalks : Natalie Jeremijenko: The art of the eco-mindshift - Natalie Jeremijenko (2009)
by: TEDTalks (video), 2010-10-14 09:15:00 UTC
Natalie Jeremijenko's unusual lab puts art to work, and addresses environmental woes by combining engineering know-how with public art and a team of volunteers. These real-life experiments include: Walking tadpoles, texting "fish," planting fire-hydrant gardens and more.

TEDTalks : Barton Seaver: Sustainable seafood? Let's get smart - Barton Seaver (2010)
by: TEDTalks (video), 2010-10-27 08:58:00 UTC
Chef Barton Seaver presents a modern dilemma: Seafood is one of our healthier protein options, but overfishing is desperately harming our oceans. He suggests a simple way to keep fish on the dinner table that includes every mom's favorite adage -- "Eat your vegetables!"

The Next Mazda 2 Will Get 70 MPG (But Only in the Japanese Testing Cycle)
by: TreeHugger Science, 2010-10-26 19:49:08 UTC
Photo: Mazda Testing Methodology Matters Mazda's press release about the next general of its "2" model has been spreading around the net like wildfire in the past few days, and sadly, it seems that many of these stories omit some important facts and focus on "70 MPG OMG LIKE HYBRID!". While Mazda's announcement is exciting, I think it's important to set the record straight and have realistic expectations about what kind of fuel economy the next Mazda2 will deliver.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Get a Grip: Robotic Hand Made From Balloon and Coffee Grounds
by: TreeHugger Science, 2010-10-28 16:26:20 UTC
Credit: John Amend, Cornell University It is tough picking things up; one has to coordinate fingers and get feedback. It is harder still to make a robotic hand that can master the complexities. We have a tendency build these things in our own image, what Fast Company calls "Terminator Style." Heinrich Jaeger throws that out the window, and has built a hand that can pick up ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Toyota is Turning Old NiMH Batteries Into New Batteries
by: TreeHugger Science, 2010-10-28 20:46:01 UTC
Image: Toyota The Circle of Battery-Life The more hybrid cars and battery electric cars are on the road, the more battery pack we'll eventually have to deal with. It's still a better problem to have than to have to deal with vehicles that burn significantly more non-renewable fossil fuels, with the waste products going straight in the atmosphere. At least the batteries are recycled, and consumers are being paid for their old batteries (which usually can still hold a lot of charge, so some might be Read the full story on TreeHugger