This Is Green

ThisIsGreen iPhone App scores 9/10

2009-11-19T12:58:00.000-08:00

Go Green at Home with This Is Green

Michelle Schusterman with theiphoneappreview.com rates our green, eco friendly, sustainable, save energy improve your health and live a better life iPhone app :-)

It has been our intention to build a simple, easy to use app to help you learn and better understand what green "is", and what's our there of sound, eco friendly solutions for you, your health and your home!

Excerpt from the review:

"…The tips are genuinely helpful – for example, I’ve heard that certain showerhead fixtures can help cut down on water usage, but I didn’t know what to look for. This Is Green describes the two basic types of low-flow shower heads, what they do, and how to choose one. This kind of attention and detail is given to all products and categories".

Read the whole review at theiphoneappreview.com.

Or just go straight to iTunes to learn more.

A plan to solve the climate crisis

2009-11-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

Al Gore's new book is out: Our Choice, A plan to solve the climate crisis. Looking forward to reading it. We'll get back with our take on it once we've read it. It is an "inconvenient truth" and now we have "a choice" to make.

Click Here to learn more about the book and read excerpts or go straight to Amazon.

ThisIsGreen launches "How-to-go-green" iPhone App

2009-11-07T21:45:00.000-08:00

ThisIsGreen Launches New iPhone App! Check it out on our Website or go to iTunes to learn more.

It's an iPhone app for going green. Browse by categories, search through the map, post a question or read the latest ThisIsGreen Forum postings.

There's something there for everyone, if you're new to the "green" thing, or a hardened treehugger, you'll learn something new, that's a promise!

Who is This Is Green?

2008-05-14T20:35:00.000-07:00

This Is Green was founded August 2006.

"We saw that there was as a missing link between green products and the consumer, and also because we increasingly realized that we are using alot of really bad & unhealthy products from building materials to cars, toys, furniture & body care products.

Our goal is to provide current information the green technologies and products that are available so you can make informed choices.

The Planet is in Peril
In the past three decades, one-third of the planet’s natural resources base have been consumed. In the United States, we have less than 4% of our original forests left. Forty percent of waterways in the US have become undrinkable. The U.S.has 5% of the world’s population but consumes 30% of the world’s resources and creates 30% of the world’s waste. For every one garbage can of waste you put out on the curb, 70 garbage cans of waste were made upstream to make the junk in that one garbage can you put out on the curb.

In the U.S. our national happiness peaked sometime in the 1950s. (this is related to GNP)

There’s a real sense of urgency.

What Happened?
The Industrial revolution changed the speed of production, and we saw no limit to our natural resources. We're starting to feel the hangover from this process. The plantets eco-systems are fragile, and our natural resources are finite. We need to adapt.

How can we change?
Three things needs to work together for us to move towards a sustainable development;

1. Political Courage (that leads to legislation)
2. Technological solutions
3. Individual responsibility

These work as integral parts, each contributing to each other.

Individual resonsibility
Today, one, if not the, greatest power you have as an individual, is to bring your value to the checkout counter. Whenever you buy something, you are making a statement. What this means, is that to exercise this power, we as consumers need to be aware of the materials and life cycle of the things we buy.

EPA has not acted to banning a single substance since 1989 when it banned 90 % of the use of asbestos (a known carcinogen). It was challenged by the industry, and a federal court vacated the ban saying that the agency had ”not met the requirements for proof of harm balanced against the benefits of asbestos”. More than thirty million pounds is still used every year as insulation in an array of products, including brake shoes and industrial tiles. We can do better.

It is up to you, to make sure you don’t buy products that is bad for your health and bad for the environment.

What should I consider?

In terms of individual responsibility, and responsible products, there are many shades of green, and its hard to know how and what to choose.

There are 5 major categories we consider when we review products at This Is Green.com We call them eco-actions, and our minimum requirement is that a product fulfills at least one of these.

They are: Save Energy, Low Toxicity , Reduce/Recycle/Reuce, Reduce CO2 (greehouse gas emissions) & Save Water.

Print 8 pages on 1 sheet of Paper with Pocketmod

2008-02-19T16:17:00.000-08:00

I found a neat tool today that lets you print up to 8 pages (16 if you print 2 sides) and you can create any type of document like music staff notation, story boards, and other templates available at their site.

http://pocketmod.com/v2/

This Is Green at Green Flamingos

2008-02-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

It was an exciting night in the heart of Miami's nascent Design District this Saturday.

An eclectic collection of architects, designers, bankers, clothing retailers, green gadget enthusiasts, and US Green Building Council members were present to hear various talks.

Thomas Bache-Wiig, Co-Founder of This Is Green talks about ThisIsGreen.com and how we can each take personal responsibility at the checkout counter.

The event was hosted by Carl Hildebrand at Zeitgeist Showroom.

USGBC Launches LEED For Homes

2008-02-10T22:31:00.000-08:00

USGBC’s newest LEED® Rating System, LEED for Homes, supports the design and construction of high-performance green homes. LEED for Homes recognizes and rewards builders for meeting the highest performance standards, while giving homeowners confidence that their houses are durable, healthy, and environmentally friendly.

A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for its occupants. Benefits of a LEED home include lower utility bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. The net cost of owning a LEED home is comparable to that of owning a conventional home.

Read more about LEED homes and the USGBC's upcoming Webinar Series.

Posted by Thomas Bache-Wiig

Nonstick Pans Bad For Your Health?

2008-02-10T21:26:00.000-08:00

EWG ( Environmental Working Group) finds heated Teflon pans can turn toxic faster than DuPont claims.

I just came across an article on EWG's website shows that Teflon pans can easily reach temperatures that releases toxic chemicals.

The article reads: "For the past fifty years DuPont has claimed that their Teflon coatings do not emit hazardous chemicals through normal use. In a recent press release, DuPont wrote that "significant decomposition of the coating will occur only when temperatures exceed about 660 degrees F (340 degrees C). These temperatures alone are well above the normal cooking range."

Recent studies shows that cookware can reach these temperatures, and higher within 2-5 minutes, and that this triggers the release of some seriously toxic chemicals. The toxic chemicals start being released at 446 degrees F.

And if you've got a stove thats "out of the ordinary hot", at 1000 degrees F, non-stick coatings break down to a chemical warfare agent known as PFIB, and a chemical analog of the WWII nerve gas phosgene.

The EWG writes that the government has not assessed the safety of non-stick cookware. As a result of the new data showing that non-stick surfaces can reach toxic temperatures within 2-5 minuetes, EWG has petitioned the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to require that cookware and heated appliances bearing non-stick coatings must carry a label warning of the hazard associated with the use of non-stick pans (Read the Full Article).

So what pans are the safest and best to use? Celebrity chef Emeril has just launched a new Cast Iron product line.

We also found many other sources that recommend old cast iron cookware, these may actually even improve your health. I think it's a great idea to reuse those old pans your parents or grandparents left you. The only thing you have to remember, is to season your pans properly (tips on how to season).

Posted by Thomas Bache-Wiig

Want to Recycle, but Don't Know Where?

2008-02-04T19:33:00.000-08:00

Earth 911 is a great website for information about not only where to recycle, but also what, and why you should. They've got a great search box, where you just type in what you want to recycle together with your zip code, and you get a selection of recycling stations near you. Check out the website here!

Also make sure that the new products you buy, have a r

ecycling logo on it, that means that its made of recycled material!

Want to learn more about recycling, also check out This Is Green's Recycling News Section. Here we take a more in depth look at the three R's, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and talk about some other great products and ways that can help you recycle more efficiently at home and in the office.

One of my favorites is the GreenDisk's Technotrash Can. With this product you can recycle pretty much any electronics and computer related trash. We got one for the office and did a product video review of it. The neatest part is that you order the product (basically a card board box), throw all your "technotrash"in it, close it up, and send it back to Greendisk (shipping is included). Quick and easy, and you can do it all from home.

Posted by Thomas Bache-Wiig

Kite-powered ship set sail for greener future

2008-02-03T10:31:00.001-08:00

The owners of the MS Beluga, a 462ft cargo vessel, will try to prove that modern steel ships can harness wind power and reduce their reliance on diesel engines. During the journey from Bremen to Venezuela, the crew will deploy a SkySail, a 160 square metre kite which will fly more than 600ft above the vessel, where winds are stronger and more consistent than at sea level.

Its inventor, Stephan Wrage, a 34-year-old German engineer, claims the kite will significantly reduce carbon emissions, cutting diesel consumption by up to 20 per cent and saving £800 a day in fuel costs. He believes an even bigger kite, up to 5,000 square metres, could result in fuel savings of up to 35 per cent. He got the idea while flying a kite as a child, and has now developed the concept into a hybrid of the sailing ships of old and motorised modern craft.

Posted by Thomas Bache-Wiig

Green for Kids

2008-01-31T20:40:00.000-08:00

Kids are the future, and climate changes and all the other issues facing the environment will effect them even more than us.

Scholastic is launching ACT GREEN, an educational website designed to motivate and empower kids with knowledge about how to preserve the environment. Great initiative

ACT GREEN featureas a desktop "greenarator", reminder tags to help remember to unplug electrical appliances, turn down the AC, 100 ways to act green and more..

There's also a special section for Teachers and Parents! Very cool site, highly recommended!

Thanks Live Earth for the Tip!

Posted by Thomas Bache-Wiig

New Recycling Technology

2008-01-30T21:22:00.000-08:00

Just came across a really cool article in edie.net reporting on a new Polymag® process that can significantly reduce the cost of recycling plastics. Found the following info on the manufacturer's website:

"The PolyMag® Process renders the plastic resin magnetic with an additive (high-concentration pellets) in a process similar to adding color concentrate. The quantity of the magnetic additive is extremely small and does not affect the physical properties of the plastic. PolyMag magnetic separators may be used to sort various types and/or colors of plastics. In fact, thePolyMag process can be used to separate more than two components by using a different amount of magnetic additive for each".

Very cool, always wondered how this process actually works. They also have a video demonstrating the process or click here to read more on the manufacturers website.

Terracycle CEO Interview: Tom Szaky, 25 year old Entrepreneur

2008-01-28T10:11:00.000-08:00

This week we interview Tom Szaky, CEO and Co-Founder of Terracycle, Inc. producer of the world's first product made from and packaged in waste. terracycle Plant Food has been recently named the most eco-friendly product in Home Depot, and received a number of awards for business model and environmental stewardship.

Click Here to Listen

Windpower Increase 45% in 2007

2008-01-27T21:43:00.000-08:00

Just came across a very interesting article on Reuters.

"... U.S. wind power grew by 45 percent in 2007, blowing away past annual growth marks, industry group American Wind Energy Association said Thursday. Utilities seeking green alternatives, some in states requiring more renewable power, helped wind power account for $9 billion invested and 30 percent of all new U.S. power generation in 2007, the AWEA said in its annual year-end report.

The AWEA (American Wind Energy Association ) said this year's new wind power installation will be about the same as in 2007. Growing fast has its pains, and one is that growth in 2008 will be limited by a shortage of wind turbines. The AWEA said wind turbines are sold out for the year, a condition it says will ease as more manufacturers enter the burgeoning market."

Its great to see that the increase is now limited because of a shortage of wind turbines, and that the demand for sustainable energy sources is continuing to rise.

Zero Carbon?

2008-01-26T14:58:00.000-08:00

We recently posted an article on This Is Green.com labeled "Spotlight: Terrapass" were we took a look at carbon offsets as a means to get to zero carbon. I think that buying offsets is a great tool for "getting things started", enabling you to offset/ purchase offsets for "your" green house gas emissions.

There's varying views on the effect this actually has. This Is Green has taken a look at carbon offsets as a means to offset. Check out the full article.

It's really easy, and affordable to be carbon neutral when buying the carbon credits. Whether you want to offset your flights and travels, your car home or office, our featured carbon offset company "Terrapass" has made it really easy. Maybe a little to easy some people say. I say its great that we're getting started.

I offset my house, car, travels, and office. It cost me a couple of hundred bucks. This money is now invested in renewable energy projects around the world.