Phonophone II from CharlesandMarie.com $500.00

The Phonophone II is not only a wonderfully designed object but also a great device that can transform your iPod’s earplugs into a mini-amplified speaker - without having to plug it in, insert batteries or sit waiting for the sun. All you have to do is hook up your iPod earphones to the adapter, and natural science will do the rest. The horned shape of the ceramic phonophone will capture and emit the music throughout the room (as long as the room is pretty small and no other competing sounds anyway)

We applaud the desire to save electricity but in this case the amount of power it takes to run an amplifier and speaker is extremely low, so the real appeal is its novelty and coolness factor. For me, at $500 there are quite a few items higher up on my coolness generating gadget wish list. But for the person who has everything or for rich iPod fanatics this might be a great addition to their desk. Then you can start looking for a tiny ceramic Jack Russell dog to sit listening next to it.

Looking for an earth friendly way to divide a room? Check out the rollable Bamboo Screen made from eco-friendly bamboo that contains no pesticides or harmful chemicals. Like any good homeowner, you are concerned about what you bring into your house and don’t want something filled with pesticides. This handy screen can partition off part of a room or even hide a computer, wires or something else that you want to keep out of everyone’s eyesight. The earth friendly Bamboo Screen is very sturdy and measures 8 feet in width and 6 feet in height so is perfect for just about every room in your house! Get some privacy in an eco-friendly way with the Bamboo Screen!

$269.00 at Real Goods

These new designer-style LED lamps from Yves Behar and EcoCentric, the Leaf Lamp, are touch sensitive for turning on the light as well as the brightness level and color temperature. You can adjust the angle of the light to provide accent lighting and mood settings. Made from 95% recycled materials and use very low energy. Needless to say its a bit pricey but if you must have the ultimate in eco-friendly fashion gadget statements in your office, this might be something to look into.

Available in five colors - polished aluminum, black, white, nickel and red.
From ecocentric.co.uk for £349.00 ($688.00)

Presenting…the Bag Snagger!!, a new tool designed specifically for removing unsightly plastic bags and other litter from trees. There was a great story in the New Yorker a few years ago about a band of guys who would get together on weekends and remove trash from trees. What a great way to spend time with friends, be out in nature and help save the planet!! The basic Bag Snagger has a 12 ft. telescoping fiberglass pole with Snagger attachment allowing you to reach approximately 20 ft. up. There are also extension poles for sale which can increase your reach up to nearly 40 feet.
$250.00 at Reusable Bags

Check out the powerful and masterful imagery by the world renowned photographer, Yann Arthus-Bertrand. This famous French photographer’s work often speaks to environmental issues in a artful manner. His official website has an extensive selection of his works, especially interesting is his Earth from the Air Series. Good Planet.org is another site that features his work and ecological activist goals, check out the Alive Exhibition featured on the site as well. There is also a shopping area where you can buy posters and the like.
I would post an image of his work but I hesitate to post any art images without permission.

Where are the Green Early Warning Systems?

I was a kid in the 50’s when air raid drills and “duck and cover” were the norm. There was something about air raid sirens that continues to invade my nightmares. This isn’t just a test of the early warning system, we need ear piercing air raid sirens to blast suburbia awake over the coming global warming disasters.

Victor Mobilae

There are a few artists and designers who put out their global warming early warning devices, like this one by Designer Rene van Corven from the Netherlands. Called the “Victor Mobilae” which is a mobile garden that moves 65 inches north each day, apparently representing the speed to which global warming might cause vegetation to adapt northwards as the climate shifts. No doubt this art piece is well intentioned but it seems a bit benign, almost celebrating the happy gardens the frozen north will soon be blessed with. Those chilly Eskimos will be soon able to add some peas and carrots with their walrus blubber.
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