environmentalism

GasfindIR-LW infrared camera helps find 20 different greenhouse gasses

Carbon dioxide is for suckers. If you really want to do some damage to the environment, sulfur hexaflouride is where it's at. According to Pollution Online (which, despite its name, is actually against pollution), one pound of SF6 has the same potential global-warming impact as 11 tons of CO2. Sulfur hexaflouride is used in high-voltage electrical equipment. If inhaled, it acts like antihelium, and, according to Wikipedia, makes one "sound like the god of hellfire." Finally, this dangerous (and potentially hilarious) gas is odorless, colorless, nontoxic, nonflammable, and extremely difficult to detect.

That's enough of a … Read more

Because the laundry needs love too

On our next trip to South Korea, one of the first things we want to see is the laundry rooms. When Samsung came out with its designer washing machine last October, we thought it was just an ill-advised attempt to create a new market. But then we spotted these other colorful models on Techie Diva from Korean rival LG.

These machines have brains as well as beauty, with a environmentally friendly steam-cleaning system controlled through an LCD. They're not exactly our taste, but we do appreciate that they're on display at Harrods. (Any excuse to do some shopping … Read more

News Roundup

-- Find toxic wastelands via Google Earth. The EPA released a master list of landfills and other offenders to the public today in hopes of getting some recognition on mapping services such as Google Earth and Windows Live Local. Here's hoping for a Toxic button next to the beloved satellite view on Google maps. (CNET News)

-- Global digital-music sales nearly doubled in 2006. It was a good year for digital downloads, but they're still coming in at only 10 percent of the total music market. (CNET News)

-- MTV to buy RateMyProfessors.com. With more than 900,… Read more

A lightbulb that's not a lightbulb

Retro, as we've noted in this space, is the new new. And though it may be a bit premature to declare the incandescent lightbulb in that category, it seems we're getting closer all the time. That may be why Ecogeek is touting the GlowBrick phosphorescent light cube, which pays homage to the bulb's iconic form without wasting energy. It could also help scare away kids on Halloween when you run out of candy.

(Photo: Ecogeek)

The Everingham Rotating House

Tired of waking up with the sun in your eyes? Don't bother with a tapparelle, just turn your house.

The Everingham Rotating House in Australia can be rotated at its owners' whim by the touch of a screen. The rotating ability, along with its many glass doors, allow the owners to take advantage of seasonal views and sunlight, according to Luke and Deb Everingham. The couple share details about the home on their Web site.

Instead of having hallways, the home is more or less a series of wide pie-shaped rooms. All the inner workings of the house, such … Read more

Who has the greenest car of all?

Pop quiz: Which automaker just won an international competition for the greenest car? Hint: It's not Toyota, Honda or any U.S. company.

This year's GreenFleet award goes to ... Citroen. "In the last four years, Citroen has sold more well over a million fuel-efficient vehicles in Europe" and "has been committed to using biofuels in its engines since March 1998," according to the judges of the U.K. contest, which was created to promote environmental awareness among transportation companies.

Toyota and Honda, which apparently were runners-up, coincidentally came out on top of a fuel economy survey … Read more