Filed under: Studio Practices
No, not the kind where they grow plants–the kind that uses materials and energy wisely. While the Build Green movement is getting press left and right, you can cut to the chase and buy a pre-manufactured home that incorporates almost every conceivable energy- and material-saving idea. The Glidehouse is designed and built in northern California by Michelle Kaufmann Designs in Oakland–and they say the pricing is comparable or less than conventional energy hog homes. The added bonus: They’re beautiful.
Filed under: Studio Practices
Well, it’s not for your car. It’s for you. And the planet. But when you go to DriveNeutral you can calculate precisely how much CO2 your specific vehicle is spewing into the atmosphere and then–depending on your guilt level–buy a carbon offset for as little as $28. What does that mean? Your $28 goes to buy emission reduction credits on the Chicago Climate Exchange–which, in turn, gives financial incentives to large companies to reduce their emissions. As for carbon emissions from cars, here’s a little sample: A BMW X5 SUV with a 4.8 liter engine produces nearly 13,000 pounds of CO2 annually, while a VW Jetta TDI burning biodiesel contributes 1,500 pounds to the environment.
San Francisco has one. It’s called Green Zebra – Local savings for natural living. Consumer purchase the book for $25, and then use the coupons and passes inside to save up to $12,000 on goods as far flung as organic catering to surfing lessons to a carpet cleaning services that uses non-toxic non-chemicals. Green Zebra donates a share of its profits to a local conservation organization, and the coupon book itself–of course–is printed on chlorine-free 98% post-consumer waste paper. Kudos to the founders, Sheryl Cohen and Anne Vollen.
There’s a trend afoot among consumer to buy products that are made locally, and no one has their finger on the pulse of this movement more than trendwatching.com. This website is made possible by the contributions of more than 8,000 trendspotters worldwide. Their June/July 2007 focus is on the “buy local” movement and shows dozens of client-convincing examples. Also on the site is a vast library of past trends spotted–great info for any marketer’s gray matter.
