Green Wall In Paris

I hadn’t heard of the Quai Branly Museum when I went to Paris (by Eurostar) so I didn’t know much about how controversial building by Jean Nouvel. Therefore it was a strange but nice sight to come across a living wall on the side of the building. Installed by Patrick Blanc it works by growing plants hydroponically in felt pockets attached to a rigid plastic backing.

I particularly like the fact people were gathered around to look at it, take photos next to it and even add a flower or two to it.

Aspen Institute’s Environmental Forum Interviews

This was passed to me from Marilyn of the fascinating Intelligent Travel a few weeks back.

National Geographic’s magazine site has some interviews with attendees of the Aspen Institute’s Environmental Forum.

Interviewees include Canadian Inuit activist and Nobel Prize nominee Sheila Watt-Cloutier, who says those at the top of the world acutely feel the effects of global warming, climatologist Konrad Steffen talks about the surprising speed of ice loss in Greenland, and friend of Life Goggles Josh Dorfman, author of The Lazy Environmentalist, who explains that fighting climate change doesn’t require busy, stressed-out people to change their nature.

Very interesting, and there are many more so please take a look.

Shea Butter Eco Product Review

Ethical Babe sent me some lovely Shea Butter made by Akamuti to review. Described as a ‘the most delicious treat for skin’ I couldn’t resist giving it a go myself, although I suspect it may be for babies and ladies. Naturally rich in Vitamins A, E & F, it is said to help treat skin problems such as eczema, sunburn, itching, insect bites & skin blemishes.

The first thing I noticed was how thick it was, for some reason I expected it to be like butter. It also contains a natural substance called ahhahsh which is similar to latex and explains the smell - a bit like rubber bands. The smell starts off quite strong as you apply it but after a while goes away. It takes a bit of effort to apply as it is thick but it rubs into the skin quite nicely and you’re not left with any oily residue or anything.

I used it on an area of dry skin and it worked wonderfully, felt better than moisturiser for some reason and although it doesn’t last forever, seemed to last longer than conventional moisturiser, I liked it a lot. I haven’t tried it on my lips (I’m a bit like Larry David in that manner, once you start to moisturise there’s no going back and you have to do it all the time) but I’m told it’s great for chapped lips. I’m looking forward to using it after doing a bit of DIY and my hands are hurting.

Virgin Shea Butter is organically grown and fairly traded from Togo, West Africa. It costs £4.95 from Ethical Babe which was founded in 2006 by Claudia and Claire. They have lots of great stuff for adults and babies - have you seen the poncho bathrobe?

LetsGoGreen Eco Product Reviews

LetsGoGreen is a business that believe their products can make a positive difference one home at a time. They’re environmentally friendly, and are selected specifically for use in every room in the house.

We were sent a few items to take a look at. Their 100% Recycled Toilet Paper is free of dyes, inks and fragrances and is recycled without chlorine or bleaching. Frankly, as far as I can tell, this was the same as the non-recycled type, so there is absolutely no reason not to switch from the non-recycled type which are cutting down ancient forests. If every home in America changed just one roll for a recycled roll, then it would save a million trees a year.

Another no-brainer is to switch to Ecosafe degradable trash bags. We have the 13-gallon Tall Kitchen Bags. Ecosafe bags are just like regular plastic bags, except that they will totally degrade and compost in 12 to 24 months. They contain an additive called DCP which remains dormant until triggered by sufficient UV light, heat or mechanical stress. The bags leave no toxic or harmful residue.

Finally, I’m getting quite good at looking at reusable bags. Their canvas totes are made in the U.S.A. and are grocery-sized and sturdy. Dimensions are 18″ L x 7″ W x 17.5″ H (with 13″ handles), and carries quite a lot. I actually also use it to carry other reusable bags around in

A four pack of 100% Recycled Toilet Paper is only $2.39 (on sale), Ecosafe kitchen or trash bags start at only $2.99 and the reusable canvas tote $9.99 from LetsGoGreen.biz. Plus they have a 25% off FRIEND discount on!

Recycled Products In Your Home

A quick three minute video from former UK Changing Rooms presenter and eco-friendly designer Oliver Heath. Here he explores some of the benefits of recycling and the new products that can be made from recycled goods for your home. Recycle Now provides more information.

Lighting The Wind

Another piece of eco product news for you, one that is not only environmentally friendly (at least in the way that it’s powered), but looks cool too.

The Firewinder, also known as the Original Windlight, is a decorative and completely wind-powered outdoor light from the UK-based Firewinder Company that transforms the ebb and flow of the wind into an upwardly spiraling glowing light. Wind from any direction spins a small turbine on the helix-shaped device, thereby lighting up LEDs along its outer edge.

With light winds of at least 3 mph, the Firewinder emits a dim glow, but as winds increase, so too does the brilliance of its light. In variable winds, the result is a pulsing, twisting glow that appears to float in mid-air. The Firewinder can be hung or mounted to a post or wall, and it’s made of recyclable materials; no batteries or wires are required. It will be available starting late summer in the UK priced at £99.95.

You can watch it in action below:

[Via: Springwise]

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