Solar Shoji Japanese Lantern $29 from Acacia
Hang these gorgeous Japanese solar-powered lanterns from porch, trees, or other outdoor fixtures. Doesn’t require wiring as the white LED light is powered by solar-charged AAA batteries one down side to these models is you’ll need to turn them on and off manually. The material is a teardrop shaped nylon shade that collapses for storage.
Nellie’s Dryer Balls
Amazon.com
These dryer balls may lower your dryer’s energy use by reducing drying time by up to 25%. They also state it will soften many fabrics naturally by lifting and separating fabric to make it softer, and should decrease the amount of the dryer’s lint. Most reviewers at both Gaiam and Amazon raved about how well these balls worked, however a few reported problems with the balls falling apart after only a few uses and not working as well as expected.
Can’t afford a Prius or Solar system for you home? There is another, basically free, way you can do even more to do your part to help reduce greenhouse emissions and lower your carbon footprint in a big way – Stop eating beef.
The constant belching and flatulence from cattle produces enormous quantities of methane, a greenhouse gas 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide. This makes for more greenhouse gases than all the cars, trucks and ships combined. This UN news article discusses the many ways the rearing of cattle is playing a major role in contributing to global warming.
There are many people currently working on a variety of innovative approaches on ways to curtail bovine methane such as cow “beano” type medications or food additives like cashew oil, special grasses to be added to their feed, flatulence vaccine, and more. However cows wearing gas masks and fart-capture backpacks won’t be likely to go over too well with the cows or people.
One thing that is easy for us non-farmers and cattle-people to do right now is to dramatically reduce or stop eating beef. Going veggie will not only do as much for the planet as driving a Prius but will give you the added benefit of being healthier from eating less saturated fats, hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals. Factory farmed cattle are bad the planet in many ways, here is a excellent huffingtonpost article that discusses this at length.
It’s been a bummer for the bees lately with colony collapse disorder still a problem as this youtube PBS Nature video “Silence Of The Bees” explains,
While scientists, politicians, farmers, beekeepers and other concerned people try to figure this out, we can do our little bit to help by first trying to learn more about the issue and also perhaps increase your local population of bees right in your own backyard. This wiki on colony collapse disorder gives a great background picture of the problem. The bushfarms.com website is an excellent resource for all things related to bees and beekeeping.
The Backyard Beekeeper: An Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Yard and Garden by Kim Flottum $20.00 at Gaiam.com
If you are looking for a great book to get you started with beekeeping in your backyard consider the The Backyard Beekeeper.
Bee Condo $32 Real Goods
One way you might help boost your local bee populations and enjoy the results of their labor is with this Bee condo is made for mason bees who pollinate in the spring and are great near orchards and your garden, the Mason Bees are reported to be mellow as bees go. These condos are made from reclaimed, untreated fir posts and comes with installation and bee ordering information. Sadly, the bee condo doesn’t seem to be available until March 2009 – but you wouldn’t need it before then except to put under your tree or Festivus pole where they wouldn’t bee welcome anyway!
Beginner Beekeeping Kit $299.00 from Real Goods
You might consider this starter Beekeeping Kit that has all the elements you’ll need to raise your own backyard bees – except the bees themselves. This Kit from Real Goods includes a complete hive, wax, smoker and fuel, helmet, veil, brush, and instructions. However, at least one beekeeper in this article doesn’t think starter kits are such a great idea – and caution against it. At 299.00 it would be a good idea to do your research closely.
Bamboo Walking Stick Flute
various models ranging $29 – $59 at Serenity Bamboo Flutes
This would perhaps make a great present for a musical hiker or perhaps someone who tends to hike in esoteric places like Macchu Picchu,Taj Mahal or maybe to a 90′s reunion of Iron John enthusiasts hiking to a the Drum Circle in the woods. Seriously though, this seems like an awesome walking stick, sturdy,light, and can take the rigors of a vigorous walk. Also made with eco-friendly bamboo. It also has a compass inlaid on the top as well as a strap and rubber tip. The tortoise shell finish is strikingly beautiful and they have other options like hand inked models and they will also customize it with engravings, custom length and other options. I didn’t see any link to hear what they sounded like but they have customer photos of places people travel with their stick flutes.
These flutes can play up to 2 octaves and are tuned to a Major Scale (G).
