simple + green

It was only a matter of time before green technology expanded to large display.

As detailed in the article, Billboards in Pensacola to Use Breakthrough Eco-Friendly Technology, we’re in an era where, if someone can make money going green, they will.

Or in their words:

With rising demand for eco-conscious business practices worldwide, adopting environmentally-friendly technologies that provide a high return on investment is critical.

Here’s a little about the development:

In Pensacola, Fla., a digital billboard is operating with solar power using new light reflecting technology.

magink, the world’s first developer and provider of full color reflective digital ink technology, today announced that Lamar Outdoor Advertising, a leading owner and operator of outdoor advertising and logo sign displays, has successfully utilized its Gen 3 reflective technology-based billboard. The magink partnership represents Lamar’s ongoing efforts to implement new eco-friendly technologies in the out-of-home (OOH) advertising market.

I happen to think billboards are a blight on the landscape, especially ones involving digital projection. However, if they can reduce the carbon footprint, at least that’s a step forward.

To me: bring back the trees or have nothing at all

I’m really trying to do something different for my wife this Valentine’s Day. Number one: while I like to spoil her, it’s not in a traditional rose & candy way. I like to think of interesting gifts, and ones that she really wants or needs. Number two: I needed to do something quick.

This year, I have some spa time planned for her. And then I hit on it: she needs sunglasses. Not only that, I know what exact kind she wants. As luck would have it, I found a place to buy these sunglasses online: OpticsPlanet.

This company seems to have an incredible selection, especially of my favorite brand, Ray Ban. My wife had a pair that we bought just about a year ago that she lost a few weeks ago. I also noticed that they offer free shipping on most orders over $29.95. Adding this up makes the purchase look like a good one.

And I’m one of those people, my wife less so, that wears sunglasses year-round. I blame this on light-colored eyes, with a dose of light-sensitivity. So, sunglasses are one of the few things I will truly spend money on without question.

During the course of finding the right pair for my wife, I also found this pair of Ray Bans for myself, which I really like.

I don’t necessarily need a new pair of sunglasses, but finding a place like this with good deals, simple choices and (price-permitting) free shipping makes it easy to start justifying the purchase.

I just found this article (scroll down on page) from December of last year, and given the renewed focus on Green, thanks to President Obama, thought it was still timely.

The premise: just because we’re in a major recession, doesn’t mean that companies are going to stop their green IT initiatives. Which of course is fantastic news.

Break out the bubbly: Is green tech just a fad? Not according to Forrester Research’s latest survey on the subject.

In the teeth of the Great Recession, half of the more than 1,000 companies it questioned worldwide said they would increase, or at least maintain, their green IT initiatives. The research was conducted in October, when things were otherwise going downhill fast.

The main reason given by the companies for their forward march: reducing energy-related operating expenses.

Certainly everyone who cares is worried that consumers and businesses will follow their bottom line, and potentially disregard their green ‘vows’ in light of a bad economy. But what if going green actually improves their bottom line? Luckily, more and more news is coming out to challenge that assumption!

I was lucky enough to visit Austin, Texas when I was 15 years old. It was old enough to get into some trouble with the friend I was visiting, but not enough to drive. So, we either walked around or were driven. Spending those 3 weeks in Austin made a huge impression on me which has lasted to today.

On occasion I get a little wanderlust, and check out online resources for real estate in different areas. I feel that it helps to dream, when I start feeling a little priced out of our market. Today I found this site which focuses on Austin real estate, as well as that of Dallas. Using an online resource like this is actually a very cool way to view homes and other properties, when in another state.

As with many online real estate resources, this site makes good use of slide shows, virtual tours and aerial photographs. After poking around the site for just a few minutes, I actually found a really great looking home that would cost much less than we did for our current home. I guess you could call that wishful thinking or practical dreaming!

I was also impressed with their site design and user interface, which is just another way of saying that the site was easy to use.

Saving gas + indulging my desire to (virtually) move to another city was a true winner for me. This one (and this idea) gets a simple + green thumbs up.

Is this equation possible?
World economic crisis + increased demand for organic food = opportunities for farmers in poor countries

The United Nations thinks so.

Reuter’s Africa has a fascinating article on how the UN feels that organic food production could help Africa.

Their premise:

Demand for organic foods will keep growing despite the world economic crisis, creating an opportunity for farmers in poor countries, the United Nations’ trade and development agency said on Monday.

Demand is skyrocketing, which is no surprise until you consider the numbers:

UNCTAD projected that sales of certified organic products would reach $67 billion in 2012, up from $46 billion in 2007 and about $23 billion in 2002.

And, as it turns out, farmers in developing countries can make more by growing organic produce!

Poor-country farmers, who often struggle to compete against their subsidized and technologically advanced counterparts in Europe and the United States, could benefit from growing and exporting more organic foods.

“Studies from Africa, Asia, and Latin America indicate that organic farmers earn more than their conventional counterparts,” it said, estimating that organic foods carry price premiums for farmers ranging from 30 to 200 percent.

While it’s normal to be skeptical, you can’t help but think that opportunities like this are a blessing of some variety. Where we’d find the real win is if this increase in opportunities can be available to all farmers, and that the effects of the downturn could be repaired for all.

simple + green has been in search of affordable glasses, as I may have found exactly what I need.

If you’re like me, you think about getting new glasses at least once a year. This subject has been on my mind recently. My current pair (for night and morning wear) are overdue to be replaced.

I just did my annual checkup and have my frame and lens allowance and am ready to go. But, as my insurance dictates, I need to focus on staying in-network or risk spending a good amount of money, most of which can’t be reimbursed.

And so I’ve been reading up, asking others what they do and generally trying to be savvy about how I’m going to spend this money. A big part of how I define living simply is assessing a need, how it is different from a want, and justifying the smartest purchase possible.

I need new glasses!

With the help of a really insightful New York Times article, I found a truly great resource for eyeglasses: Zenni Optical. The article reinforces the high cost of buying glasses, and show Zenni Optical as a leader in providing low-cost glasses.

The article also mentions that entire frame and lens packages from Zenni start at $8 a pair. Considering that frames are the most expensive (rightly so) part of buying glasses, and that the average pair of frames alone will cost anywhere from $50-$150, this is an amazing deal.

As I’m naturally curious, I had to go through their site to find out how they were able to offer their glasses so inexpensively. As it turns out, they’re able to offer glasses at these prices because:
1. They manufacture the frames themselves and sell direct to the customer. Their website looks to be the main means of sales.
2. They involve no middlemen, have no retail overheard and spend little to nothing on advertising

With that out of the way, I decided to actually shop for a pair.

Given my somewhat thin face, I’m leaning towards a pair of glasses that retails through Zenni Optical for $12.95. Check them out:

This is a simple + green recommended business. I’ll blog later, when I get my glasses. But for now, I feel a little bit richer having found some pretty nice glasses for not so much money.

If roses just aren’t your thing, here’s a tip: try giving edible flowers on that special day. According to this article on Examiner.com, edible flowers could be the best replacement for roses, if you want to try something different. Your surprise gift may just be the thing to seal a perfect Valentine’s Day.

The idea is that most Valentine’s Day roses are imported from Central America or other tropical areas. This translates into a huge carbon footprint.

Their idea?

If you must give your love a bouquet of blossoms, go for edible flowers instead. Pansies, chrysanthemums, hibiscus, nasturtiums, and violets are all beautiful and delicious, and lemon verbena, chamomile, and jasmine flowers can be made into wonderful teas.

Companies such as Organic Bouquet can provide great organic and sustainable flowers. But for truly unique ideas, maybe some eco-friendly edible flowers are the way to go!

I stumbled on what looks to be a very cool site: Kate’s Caring Gifts. Kate’s offers not only Earth friendly and sustainably manufactured gifts, body care, toys and home decor. They also sell chocolate. Organic, vegan and fair trade chocolate. Yes!

With Valentine’s day just a week away, it seems to be a perfect time to pick up a little something for the one you love. And yourself of course. Being an organic, fair trade and vegan supplier means that they come simple + green recommended.

In fact, one thing that looks fantastic is this Organic Vegan Chocolate Valentine’s Day Heart. It looks like it’s full of an assortment of European Style Vegan Chocolates.

Having not tried these yet, I can’t vouch 100% for quality. However, organic chocolate, by design, is more flavorful, rich and satisfying than the average store-bought chocolate. If you’ve even been lucky enough to try any of the brands available, you’ll know what I mean. This is why I’m considering getting an order in to them tonight.

So there you go. Check out Kate’s Caring Gifts for organic and vegan Valentine’s Day chocolate, And more.

It’s back! Removed at the end of 2007, the Green tax credit is coming back.

Rolled into President Obama’s proposed stimulus package is an increased tax credit for energy-saving home improvements.

Green your home, get a tax credit!

According to this article on tax cuts, Congress Moving Fast on Tax Cuts, President Obama’s plan includes:

Increasing the tax credit for energy saving home improvements and extending it through 2010. The credit is likely to be raised to 30%, from 10% now, with a cap of $1,500 rather than $500. Improvements that qualify for the credit include energy efficient skylights, windows, outer doors, water heaters, central air conditioners and biomass stoves.

Although the economy is suffering, there may be ways to justify an up-front expense, such as a tankless water heater, which will bring long-term savings.

Is Toyota planning on developing a solar powered car? This article says as much.

Toyota, admittedly a leader in green auto technology, is years away from bringing this to market. But it does say something about their dedication during tough times: Toyota announced that it will slip into its first operating loss in 70 years.

Announcing a development like this could provoke a reversal of fortune.

The car itself? According to the Japanese newspaper that broke this story:

Toyota is working on an electric vehicle that will get some of its power from solar cells equipped on the vehicle, and that can be recharged with electricity generated from solar panels on the roofs of homes. The automaker later hopes to develop a model totally powered by solar cells on the vehicle, the newspaper said without citing sources.

And this news also comes as the company has outfitted one of its main plants in Japan with solar panels:

The solar panels on the roofs add up in size to the equivalent of 60 tennis courts and produce enough electricity to power 500 homes, according to Toyota. That reduces 740 tons a year of carbon dioxide emissions and is equal to using 1,500 barrels of crude oil.