Check out this alternative to corn-produced ethanol. It is not as widely publicized in the news, but may be a more economical and productive way to reduce energy costs in the future!

Founded by MIT chemist Isaac Berzin in 2001, GreenFuel Technologies of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has developed a process that:

“uses a portfolio of technologies to profitably recycle CO₂ from smokestack, fermentation, and geothermal gases via naturally occurring species of algae.”

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The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago announced a first-of-its-kind exhibit - Smart Home: Green + Wired - to showcase the latest trends in “green” living. The exhibit, sponsored by ComEd, will be a functioning, three-story modular and sustainable “green” home in its own backyard to showcase the ways, big and small, that people can make eco-friendly living a part of their lives - and to highlight unique home technologies for the 21st century. A 2,500 square-foot modular house on MSI’s campus will be open to the public for guided tours from May 8, 2008, to Jan. 4, 2009. (more…)

Global warming is real. Along with the participating US cities (Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix, San Francisco), the World Wildlife Fund and millions of people around the world, join Earth Hour on Saturday, March 29, 2008, from 8 to 9 p.m - to make a bold statement about climate change. For one hour, residents, businesses and organizations across the world are being asked to voluntarily turn off lights to reduce energy consumption. We want to raise awareness about climate change and demonstrate that the people of the world can make a difference in the fight against global warming.

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If you are living in the Midwest or California, chances are you don’t know that disposing of your energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in the waste basket is against the law. Illegal, you ask, how can that be possible? Consumers are well aware that these new bulbs are much more energy efficient than the traditional incandescent bulbs, especially since we are bombarded regularly with advertising and news clips on how great this new technology is for our environment.

If you’ve recently installed some you no doubt have noticed that they take a while to heat up and tend to make a low buzzing noise. And if you are like me, you have even gotten a few duds that you’ve had to discard. No problem, right? Wrong. Fluorescent bulbs are made with mercury, a known neurotoxin, and if you live in the Midwest like I do it is actually illegal to just throw them in the trash. Worst yet, if you break one there is an 11 step protocol that you must follow to limit over contamination and risk the safety of your family. (more…)

Families looking for creative ways to raise their children naturally in an artificial and chemically laden world may find some terrific resources at the Naturally Healthy Children’s Expo. The expo runs Friday through Sunday on the first weekend in October (5-7) at Chicago’s Navy Pier. Naturally Healthy Children’s Expo will feature renowned experts and interesting exhibits. Natural product vendors and service providers will host demonstrations on the exhibit floor. Visitors will also get the chance to watch live cooking shows performed by famous celebrity chefs. (more…)