Archive for Computers and Printers
Green Gazette (Issue 35) Eco Bus, James Cameron, Green Electronics Rankings
Posted by: | CommentsThanks for visiting Planet Forward and our eco-blog. We’re thrilled with the feedback and traffic from our visitors and hope you can share our site with others who might be like minded. A few times per week we bring you the green gazette where I dig out new green stories and inventions or ideas that we feel should be shared. If you ever find something that you think is newsworthy or simply a brilliant idea please do share with us via the site.
I read with interest about a British environmentalist who intends to drive around the world in a bus powered only by bio fuels (where possible of course) left the UK 4 months ago but things have taken a turn for the worse in India. Andy Pag who previously completed a London to Timbuktu drive using chocolate waste (how can there be such a thing?) has been driving his bus (The Bio Truck) around the globe using used cooking oil to heighten awareness about the potential of bio diesel. Andy has just been released from jail in India for bringing a satellite phone into the country without prior approval. He didn’t know he needed a license for the phone and was thus released on bail, however he cannot leave India until his scheduled trial on January 23rd. Keep up to date with Andy via his site and learn more. His twitter account has the latest news.
Blue meanie?
Next up, I’ve yet to see Avatar (I know…I’ll be the last) and I can’t say I’m very enamoured with James Cameron based on interviews I’ve seen. Nothing personal but he seems to be a somewhat…well….self important? That said I don’t know much about him especially when it comes to eco-issues but apparently he has made some statements last night that seem to very much at odds with both his lifestyle and business acumen if I can use that phrase. I won’t go right over the precipice with regards to Cameron as I can leave that in the very capable hands of the ‘Big Hollywood Blog’ who in this post seem to have made their mind up about the uber-director and his not so green resume. There are always two sides to every story but side one isn’t very promising is it? Maybe the characters in Avatar weren’t green for a reason?
Finally tonight it’s update time on the guide to Green Electronics with a great scoring system and notes to help consumers better evaluate the performances and green initiatives on major electronics manufacturers. Sony have been aggressively cross marketing their VAIO laptops and mini-notebooks with a greater emphasis on eco-friendly features. A new mercury free LED backlight has helped Sony leap in the standings but the review is interesting to read overall and can help you make a balanced decision if you are on the fence about an electronics purchase. The guide essentially grades 18 top manufacturers of personal computers, mobile phones, TVs and games consoles based on their green record. Some of what you read will be an eye opener in both good ways and bad…and I will name names on those not scoring well…Microsoft, Fujitsu and Dell. Get your collective act together because an informed public do care about what the corporate green initiatives are for their products these days. Send the review to your friends who love gadgets!
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Green Gazette (Issue 16) Ethical undies, cycling to work, green computing
Posted by: | CommentsI can’t really comment on the Yankees post yesterday, I also won’t hijack the post tonight and ask that you visit this page to see a real sporting wonder. I’m here to write the latest Green Gazette and I must confess I’m pleased the Yankees won the rounders “world” series, it certainly makes for a happier Planet (Forward) around these parts. I’ve got a few enjoyable eco-friendly bits of information to share so lets get cracking!
First up, The Washington Post provides a well written article focusing on how to further green up your computer. The emphasis with computers (and many other products) is how eco-friendly they are but we tend to make those considerations when we purchase something brand new. The article makes for good reading as it shows how additional software and hardware can help in a number of ways also. Naturally reducing power consumption is at the heart of most ideas about making computing more green. Within the article a link to this list exists which is one of the most informative aspects - especially this:
Product: Encore Electronics Thin Client
Price: $110
How it saves: Reduce the power you use while computing by having multiple workers share a PC or server’s computing power. One PC can power about 10 Thin Clients; one server can power about 30. A Thin Client uses only 5 watts to 10 watts a year, whereas a desktop uses about 350 watts.
Check out the remainder of the items on the list also, if you own a business you might be very impressed at the difference that you can make.
Here’s a story that I found quite inspiring, especially when I’m behind someone who drives a vehicle that gets <20MPG and feels that asking their school class to reduce paper consumption by 3% is going to clear the conscience. Walking the talk doesn’t always happen as often as it 
should and this is sadly sometimes the case with businesses that profess to be green. This story introduces you to a list of entrepreneurs who run green businesses who happen to be attending the Opportunity Green conference in Los Angeles this weekend. The 12 individuals concerned are from the bay area (incidentally the conference looks brilliant) who elected to cycle - that’s bicycle - from San Francisco down to Los Angeles for the conference. That’s 5 days in the saddle, 90 miles per day, not to be sneezed at! The event was titled the Tour de OG and this page explains why this was done, what was involved and who was prepared to burn those calf muscles and ride all the way down the California coast. I’ve made that journey a number of times by car (it’s beautiful) and I envy them having been able to see that lovely coastline at just 15mph on a touring bicycle. (I’m not crazy I used to tour cycle as a teenager) The individuals who took part deserve applause and so do their companies; their profiles are also on the link I provided - some great ideas are in there.
A lot of people don’t pay enough attention to their underwear and they really should. Not wanting to go into to much detail but I’ve seen
Eco friendly undies (men's available also!)
….oh I better stop there. I’m writing about underwear for a reason of course as I want to turn your attention to Pact Organization. Pact are an interesting company and here’s a brief summary of what they are all about. They do of course sell underwear, really nice underwear but of course there is more to it than that. PACT’s motto is CHANGE STARTS WITH YOUR UNDERWEAR. The purchase of PACT underwear is participation in a social movement: when you buy PACT underwear, you are supporting and encouraging organic cotton farmers, responsible labor practices, and businesses that form partnerships with nonprofit organizations dedicated to positive change in our world. In addition to the ethical supply practices they also donate 10% of all profits to one your choice of causes they are affiliated with. Namely Forest Ethics, Oceana or 826 National - each worthy of your time. Buy some nice fresh stylish underwear - make a difference and see what happens!
Back soon…
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Green Gazette (Issue 5) Bettersphere, Green Milk and PC energy tips
Posted by: | CommentsHello again hope that all is well, my calendar is telling me that suddenly it’s October - goodbye to another Summer, the build up to the holidays begins and our quest for a greener planet continues unabated. Welcome to issue 5 of the Green Gazette as I cast the net to the bottom of the Green news-feeds and share the best green ideas around and hope that some more catch on.
I’m sure the majority of you have dabbled with Facebook and you may be one of the millions who are fairly addicted. I was a bit like that for a while until I found myself filled with angst to see if somebody I hadn’t seen in 25 years was happy with the new Jacket they purchased with the money they found down the back of the sofa (that was one of the more exciting ones). Some people find the time to post on Facebook 10-20 times per day sharing their opinions of everything and explaining the nuances of their morning commute and dietary habits. I pulled back and now typically only check Facebook once a day…now if you are someone who loves sharing all you do - try sharing the events of your daily existence that have eco-friendly impacts. 
Bettersphere lets you do just that - it’s essentially a facebook type application which allows you to share with the world every ‘green’ action you take. You get extra seeds for providing photographic evidence. It’s a fun idea that swings from innovative to cute to completely daft but it all serves a purpose. If you plant the most seeds you can win prizes but apart from that it helps you feel that people value recycling, people are being creative, people are using more public transport. It all comes down to the ideology that no deed is too small. Check out the bettersphere - you might pick up some great tips or just have a laugh. Some of the funniest ones I saw today:
- 30 second shower
- I picked up Minnie’s poop with toilet paper instead of a plastic bag
- Erin and I washed our hair together to save some water
If you’re anything like me you spend far too much time working at your computer and judging by online habits people spend more free time than ever before either surfing, shopping, watching video or playing games. When 
you combine those two facts it’s not a huge shock to learn that computers now consume 10% of all energy used in North America. (I found that to be an amazing statistic). This blog has put together a genuinely useful list of ways to reduce your computer energy consumption by up to 50%. I recommend you read the piece and implement what you can but for two quick examples: 40% of PC energy use is in standby or idle mode - often called vampire mode - it’s a terrible waste of energy. If you are leaving work, shut down your computer. If you are going to bed, do the same. If you’re eating dinner (guess the rest). Also, when you buy please do so responsibly and read the fine print to see how green your manufacture is. Failing that EPEAT lets you compare online many different green aspects of your purchase before you point and purchase or head to the store.
Next, a topic that makes me want to check the cupboard for cookies….MILK. 
I still on occasion love a cold glass of milk. I must confess that the milk here (in general) doesn’t taste as good as it did back in England. I always assumed it was the level of processing and that cows ate greener grass back there and left it at that *(sounds about right). I’d suggest you moo(ve) over to Planet Green’s blog and learn some udder facts about ‘green milk’. I dairy say you will be glad you did. Many useful pieces of information there and I am going to try organic milk this weekend and will let you know my thoughts. There has to be some value in the happy cow theory also. I’ve never tried the pure milk option but if you have please drop us a message on the blog.
A few more quick notes to increase your eco-awareness:
Green is not a colour we ideally want our teeth to be but eco-dentistry is a topic getting some press. If you don’t think there’s much that can be done think again, the statistics in this article will amaze you.
If you live in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada or Utah a trip to Phoenix might be ideal this November (and not just for the 80f sunshine). The annual Greenbuild expo takes place in Phoenix Nov 11-13 and it’s the biggest and best ever. Eco-lectures, environmental day trips, vendors (1800! exhibit booths) and people who care about world - plus keynote speaker Al Gore! Take a trip and report back to us!
Cat not included (eco-catbed)
I’m going to start a new feature soon about ‘eco-inventions/ideas’ and let readers of the blog vote on their weekly favourites. An example of what awaits you is this upcycled cat bed - half of an old suitcase with eco friendly bedding for your furry friend. He’d jump in there anyway right? That’s all for now.
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