As the world has become more globalized, we have all become heavily dependent on a well-oiled, seamlessly functioning system to keep our busy lives afloat.  We have become fully reliant on having well stocked stores close by to fulfill our basic necessities and meet our daily needs.  A gap in this highly effective and efficient supply chain of food, water and electricity is but a major natural disaster away.

We have become too comfortable in our own reliance on this system, with many dismissing the need to prepare and store supplies required to keep their family protected in an emergency. The blackout of 2003, Hurricane Katrina and the recent tragic Earthquake in Haiti is a sign for all of us to make our own efforts to prepare for the worst so that in times of need, we have the ability to help others. Keep reading →

The science of growing plants strictly in water is anything but a new concept. Several cultures throughout history have grown plants in water as an alternative to conventional agriculture. So what’s all the hype about hydroponics?

As development continues to encroach on arable, high quality farming land with housing and infrastructure, our ability to increase our current food stocks with ever growing populations is beginning to dwindle. Many would say a food crisis is just around the corner. Throw the uncertainty of climate change into the mix and it’s evident that a solution is needed. In comes hydroponics to save the day. Keep reading →

Still looking for that big, stocking-busting present for that movie lover, gamer or regular guy in your life?  Here’s a sure-fire winner: Samsung’s 46-Inch 7000-Series LED TV, aka the UN46B7000.

With this beauty, Samsung has spun a real winner.  The UN36B700 has all the high-end specs you’d want in a premium flat screen tele, including 1080p resolution, 120Hz motion refresh, and super-deep blacks to go along with naturally vibrant colors.  As evidence of this brilliance, Samsung has won a host of accolades for the UN36B700, including Wired Magazine’s TV of 2009 distinction, and the highest rating among LED TVs on CNET.  So it’s got the good part down for sure.

And did I mention that this 46 in screen is a mere 1.2 inches deep.  There was a time when a 3-inch deep television was a marvel – I believe that time was way back in 2008 – but with new LED TVs hitting the market, ultra-thinness is the name of the game.

So the UN36B700 has goodness to spare, and plenty of green cred too.  Unlike most LCD and Plasma TVS, most new LED TVs, including the UN36B700, are mercury free.  Samsung’s LED line also consumes about 40% less energy than comparably sized LCD TVS – keeping in mind that LCDs used a ton less that traditional tube TVs do.  So you’ll be way ahead in the green game too with this upgrade.

Check out more on the Samsung UN36B700 in the IzzitGreen Products Listings – and then go splurge on the UN36B700 as a gift.  Even if you’re the recipient – there’s nothing wrong with self-gifting the good and green…

Sometimes even when you’re out in touch with nature, out on a hike or a bird watching adventure, it can be hard to detach yourself from the modern world and leave your plethora of gadgets behind, but without access to a place to plug in and keep your gadgets charged it can be hard to maintain your addiction.

The Voltaic Solar Daypack is perfect for a day hike in the woods so you can get in touch with nature and bring your favorite companions along; your Blackberry, iPod, iPhone, GPS and whatever else you just can’t stand to leave at home. The backpack is solar powered, so as you carry your water, a lunch, and your camera, you can also use the solar pack’s pockets and wire channels to keep your devices charged while you’re on the go. It’s a green option that allows you to conserve electricity without being left chained to your home when your personal gadgets are out of batteries. Keep reading →

We’ve all been warned that in order to remain healthy, lose or maintain weight and maintain a strong immune system we need to drink at least 8 glasses water a day. Yes, this is a fact that we all know; and since water consumption does seem to be the cure-all solution for all of life’s problems, how many of us actually drink the recommended amount of water that we need everyday? I do…I think. But who can really be sure how many trips they’ve made to the tap everyday in order to fill up a reusable water bottle; and using bottled spring water or filtered water isn’t exactly environmentally friendly, even if it is more convenient for tracking just how hydrated we’re keeping ourselves. So what’s the answer? Is it really possible to remain hydrated as recommended while reducing the waste created by drinking from disposable plastic water bottles? Keep reading →

If your kids’ rooms are looking a little dark and dingy this summer, here is a product that will do the trick!  The SUNNAN Solar Lamp is not only a fully functional lamp that is sure to lighten and brighten your children’s living space; it is eco-friendly too.  The lamp, from IKEA, is a desk lamp that gets it’s energy from the sun.  The lamp, from designer Nicolas Cortolezzis, has an adjustable arm and is available in five vibrant colors – blue, red, orange, yellow and green.   Constructed out of steel, ABS plastic and aluminum, the base of the lamp measures about five inches in diameter and the gooseneck measures about 17 inches.  Keep reading →

Apparently it doesn’t take much to make up a set of speakers, beyond cardboard made from recycled as the encasing, the audio component and an AC adapter. And really, it’s their simplicity that makes these Eco-Speakers by Eco Nation so cool.

The Eco-Speaker kit comes with everything you need to design and assemble your own green speakers that are compatible with most audio and electronic devices. The recycled cardboard speakers come folded down for portability, which can be unfolded for function. But the best part of the DIY aspect is the option to customize them to suit your décor or personality using the colored pencils provided. The only real downside I can see is if you outgrow your former artistic tastes, these sustainable speakers might just be around longer than you want them to be. Choose wisely when decorating your speakers, and like driving, drunk drawing isn’t recommended, because you might just come to regret your design choices in the morning. Keep reading →

For many of us, summer means many outdoor activities and overnight adventures. Whether you are heading to a music festival or family camping trip, “roughing it” out in the woods may never be the same again!   The Orange Solar Concept Tent won’t be your average run-of-the mill tent.  This tech-savvy tent is sure to be a camper’s dream-come-true.

As the name suggests, the tent is solar.  The energy from the sun will provide heating, lighting, recharging and communication to the tent.  Instead of using traditional solar panels to capture the sun’s energy, the tent is fitted with a revolutionary material.  The photovoltaic fabric is made by weaving specially coated solar threads into an outer fabric.  The three glides can be easily adjusted and rotated to capture the most sunlight and maximize efficiency. Keep reading →

We’ve been waiting forever for a printer/ink option that finally reduces waste and complies with the green movement. Finally a little glimmer of hope is on the way for the corporate world, but those of us looking for green home printing solutions might have to hold our breath just a little bit longer.

Xerox just recently announced a new ColorQube 9200 printer which is compatible with waste-free printer cartridges that are among the first of their kind. Unlike typical ink toner cartridges which are expensive and anything but eco-friendly, this innovative printer uses solid blocks of printer ink that melt when the printer is activated through heat. With these eco-friendly printer cartridges, when the ink is gone, there’s no evidence left to pile up in landfills and litter the world as we know it with waste. Xerox claims that this green corporate printing system can cut printing costs by 60% and reduce waste by 90%.

At $23,000 for this large corporate printing system, those of us with home offices will just have to wait a little bit longer to get our hands on printer ink cartridges that don’t add to environmental degradation. But we can only hope it won’t be along time coming, if this green printing corporate monstrosity it will only be a matter of time before Xerox’s competition is getting in on the waste-free ink trend!

Stay tuned, we’ll keep you posted as to when you can buy your own eco-friendly printers and cartridges to make your home just a little greener; and hopefully, you won’t need to re-mortgage your homes to make the purchase with those geared towards consumers!

Via: Inhabitat

As electronic devices become smaller and more affordable, many people are finding themselves strapped to their cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players and other portable devices.  If you are joined at the hip with a gadget or two, chances are pretty good it takes all your internal energy just to remember to keep them all charged.  If you have a drawer full of cords and chargers, finding the right cord to go with the right device can be trying at best.  And when your cell phone is on its last leg with no electrical outlet in sight, then what?  These devices are supposed to make our lives easier and less complicated, aren’t they? Keep reading →