Billionaire Patagonia founder donates his company to Earth

Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard announced that he will be giving away his company towards fighting the climate crisis through a new trust and nonprofit. The rock climber who founded the billion dollar empire says that this gesture will work for the benefit of the whole world instead of benefiting a few people through privatization.

“Instead of ‘going public,’ you could say we’re ‘going purpose.’ Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming it into wealth for investors, we’ll use the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source of all wealth,” Chouinard said in a statement on Wednesday. 

Related: Patagonia’s Black Hole Bags are made from recycled plastic bottles

Chouinard, who is now 83 years old, told reporters that he feared that the values of the company would be compromised if sold to another owner. He, therefore, opted to transfer the company valued at about $ 3 billion to the Patagonia Purpose Trust and Holdfast Collective.

“It’s been nearly 50 years since we began our experiment in responsible business, and we are just getting started. If we have any hope of a thriving planet — much less a thriving business — 50 years from now, it is going to take all of us doing what we can with the resources we have. This is another way we’ve found to do our part,” Chouinard said.

The transfer of the company now means that all the profits that are not reinvested back into the business will go to Holdfast Collective and be redirected towards environmental causes. It is estimated that this amount will total about $100 million annually.

Patagonia was founded 50 years ago by Chouinard and has been known for its commitment to planet Earth. While talking to The New York Times, the founder said that he hopes the latest move will inspire other businesses to work for the good of the globe.

“I didn’t know what to do with the company because I didn’t ever want a company,” Chouinard told The Times. “I didn’t want to be a businessman. Now I could die tomorrow and the company is going to continue doing the right thing for the next 50 years, and I don’t have to be around.”

Via Insider

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Carbon neutral certified cocktail gives you a happy buzz

Bizzarro Aperitivo, a canned cocktail brand, created an alcoholic beverage that is now certified carbon neutral. The base is made from biodynamic organic Vermentino grapes from Australia’s Riverland. These grapes are suited to the environment better than other varieties so they need less water. They also happen to produce lower alcohol wines with high levels of acid and a fresh fruit taste.

What is Bizzarro? It’s a cocktail infused with organic orange and lemon peel grown in the same region as the grapes. You can use the base Bizzarro Aperitivo in any cocktail recipe that calls for bitter red aperitivo or drink it plain with ice or soda water and a slice of orange. It’s basically white wine, water and carbonation. Mischief Brew is a grapefruit and herb tinged cocktail you can drink alone or add to other drinks.

Related: Sip on these clean, vegan botanicals from Optimist Drinks

Additionally, the brand makes several varieties of canned cocktail that can be served alone or mixed into other drink recipes. Spritz is a blend of the Bizzarro base cocktail plus more of the organic and biodynamic Vermentino added in. Meanwhile, tonic is a blend of Bizzarro base plus local artisinal tonic water from Mischief Brew that is made with natural extracts.

The carbon neutral certification was given by Trace, a digital platform that helps climate conscious businesses measure, reduce and offset their carbon footprint. Bizzarro Aperitivo now offsets all of the carbon it creates through making, promoting, administering and shipping products by investing in carbon positive projects in South Australia and Southeast Asia. They are also working on programs to handle wastewater management and solar power. They are truly creating a clean product that is organic, biodynamic, sustainably packaged, vegan and free of preservatives.

Lastly, even the holders for a four-pack of cocktails is made from biodegradable sugarcane pulp. The aluminum cans can be recycled multiple times, which makes them more recyclable than glass. The cans are also 400 times lighter than glass, which saves carbon emissions from transport. These drinks are also available in 24-pack cases.

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Are "eco-friendly fireplaces" true to their name?

Fireplaces evoke feelings of coziness and nostalgia. They come in various architectural styles and materials depending on the region. Nowadays, the term “eco-friendly fireplace” has been coined. However, this begs the question, how environmentally friendly can a fireplace actually be? It depends on the type of fireplace and its fuel. By taking a look at some of the most common types of fireplaces, we can understand how eco-friendly they truly are.

Wood fireplaces

Wood-burning fireplaces actually can be broken down into two groups: traditional (open) wood fireplaces and high-efficiency (closed) wood stoves.

Related: Could thorium be the future of fuel and energy?

The first type of wood fireplace is the common open-air fireplace. These are not very efficient as much of the heat escapes through the chimney, requiring more wood. The traditional, open fireplaces also release lots of smoke into the atmosphere, including toxic particulate matter, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds. The greenhouse gases emitted by the smoke exacerbate climate change, as the gases worsen global warming by trapping solar heat in the atmosphere. Alongside their negative effects on the environment, the fine particles also impact human and animal health. The toxic substances impact key organs like the heart and lungs, which can lead to asthma and bronchitis.

On the other hand, high-efficiency wood stoves are safer for human and animal welfare. Because they are sealed they burn wood more efficiently, which consequently produces less smoke. The stoves are safer for humans and the environment compared to open-air fireplaces because there is less contact with toxic particles, VOCs and harmful gases. However, since they burn wood more efficiently than open-air fireplaces, they can be expensive to maintain.

One of the primary issues with wood fireplaces, regardless of their type, is that they require large quantities of wood. The wood’s source is a primary indicator of how environmentally friendly the fireplace will be. Some businesses sell locally-sourced wood acquired from dead trees, however, this is not always an option depending on location.

A lot of firewood is obtained from clear-cutting, as this allows for larger quantities and controlled-quality wood. These deforestation practices lead to habitat loss for species in the ecosystem and can result in degraded soil quality and desertification.

Gas fireplaces

Gas fireplaces use fossil fuel gases, such as liquified petroleum or natural gas, to generate heat. These typically produce fewer emissions than open wood fireplaces and are more efficient, as they produce higher amounts of heat with less fuel.

However, their dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels for energy is the main reason why they are not sustainable. Natural gas and LP extraction from the ground is disruptive to flora and fauna. Furthermore, the emissions from gas fireplaces are high in carbon dioxide and methane (up to 95%). Just like wood fireplaces, these greenhouse gases threaten biodiversity and exacerbate global warming, which in turn leads to climate change.

Electric fireplaces

Electric fireplaces sound great in theory because they do not require any fuel, do not produce off-gases and emissions and are 100% efficient since all the electrical energy is converted into heat. However, they do require substantial amounts of electricity to power them, especially over long periods. This can make them expensive to run and depending on the source of energy being used to power the fireplace, they can indirectly harm the environment.

For those that use renewable energy sources to power their homes, electric fireplaces are a useful, environmentally-friendly option. Yet, for those that obtain their electrical energy from fossil fuel-based power plants, the use of these fireplaces is indirectly detrimental to natural habitats and the atmosphere.

Pellet fireplaces

Pellet fireplaces are typically one of the more sustainable fireplaces because of their fuel source, high efficiency and low emissions. These fireplaces use pellets made from bio-based materials like agricultural waste, compressed sawdust, and even bamboo. By using recycled or easily-regenerated materials, these pellets do not contribute to deforestation, therefore protecting biodiversity.

Pellets have several advantages because of their production process. They are non-toxic and their minimal moisture content, which is about 8%, makes them more efficient to burn, especially when compared to common firewood which can have a moisture content ranging between 20-60%.

Because of this, pellet-fuel efficiency is typically between 75-90%. When pellets burn, their energy density is similar to that of coal. They also produce significantly less ash and smoke than coal or cordwood. This makes them a safer option, particularly for humans and animals in the vicinity. Pellets are also small and easier to store than firewood. They also do not harbor bacteria or fungi, giving them an infinite shelf life.

Some of the drawbacks of pellet fireplaces are that they are expensive to fuel and the stove requires more maintenance than other types of fireplaces for it to limit smoke and remain safe. Additionally, pellet stoves do require electrical power to operate the feeder and exhaust fans in the system. This way, they cannot be used during power outages unless backup power is available and may indirectly exacerbate harm to the environment if fossil fuel-based electricity is used to power them.

Bioethanol fireplaces

Bioethanol fireplaces run on ethanol from bio-based sources, including by-products of crops like sugarcane and corn. Because these plants grow quickly, they are considered renewable energy sources. Additionally, alcohols like bioethanol burn very efficiently, resulting in fireplaces that are almost 100% efficient. They also do not produce smoke or soot and therefore do not typically have chimneys to vent out emissions.

Some of the by-products of the fuel are water vapor and carbon dioxide. These are created by absorbing oxygen from the air in the space where the fireplace is located. Because of this, appropriate ventilation is necessary. In some more extreme instances where indoor air quality was compromised by pollutants, these bioethanol fireplaces were observed to produce toxic gases like carbon monoxide, which cause harm to human health. However, these risks can be mitigated by ensuring the stove door is sealed for a safer, controlled burn.

One of the main environmental arguments against bioethanol fuels has to do with agriculture. To make space to harvest fast-growing crops like sugarcane or corn, the land must be cleared. This in turn results in habitat loss and threatens biodiversity. Another con of bioethanol fireplaces is that fuel and maintenance costs can be expensive to maintain.

While none of the fireplaces mentioned above are the perfect heating solution, pellet and bioethanol fireplaces are still regarded as more sustainable than those of other types. Though they can be costly to power and maintain, their renewable fuel sources make them better choices for human health and environmental sustainability in the long run.

Via GreenCoast, Treehugger

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Let these sustainable chairs put Verve in your space

There are a lot of places you go during life where you have to sit such as the dentist, office reception areas, school meetings and more. Usually, you’re going to be doing that in a horrible chair. Luckily, the Verve seating collection is a line of commercial chairs that are designed for the human body using ergonomics.

Verve is a synonym for spirit or liveliness, according to the company’s literature. Therefore, a good chair should offer you a little more liveliness after you’ve rested your feet and body.

Related: 3D-printed kelp chair is made of recycled fishing nets

The line of chairs is meant for all commercial spaces. In fact, the designs work as desk chairs, waiting area chairs, lobby chairs, break room and cafeteria chairs. If you need to sit in a commercial building, Verve has a chair designed for that.

Verve chairs are made with an aluminum or wood frame in multiple stain shades and powder coatings. Plastic glides, glides with felt pads and hard or soft casters finish off the feet of the chairs.

Furthermore, these chairs were made in the USA and they are Greenguard IAQ and Level 1 certified for sustainable design. The aluminum frame is made with recycled material and the powder coating is VOC-free and water-based.

These chairs are ergonomically designed to support and soothe the human body but the design is also about looking nice, too. Additionally, the clean lines and gentle curves create a look that’s pleasing and inviting. There are no sharp edges or hard angles on these chairs. There’s also no excess. The sweeping lines and simplistic style create a streamlined, minimalist appeal that isn’t bulky or overbearing.

Meanwhile, the backs of these chairs are angled, which makes each one feel like a lounge chair. There is also built-in lumbar support to relieve and prevent lower back tension.

Verve chairs are available in 11 colors. The tough outer shell is soft but durable recyclable polypropylene. Mark Kapka designed Verve chairs, which are sold by Stylex.

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Turning motion in the ocean into incredible wave energy

Sea Wave Energy Limited (SWEL) is a research and development company based in Cyprus and the U.K. They designed and developed a wave energy converter (WEC) called the Wave Line Magnet, which converts energy from ocean waves to store for later use. The design was developed over 10 years and involves multiple patents for this unique technology that can pull useable energy straight off of the movement of the surface of water.

“[This] technology is a robust and durable WEC that can supply substantial power on demand at a low cost, with minimal maintenance and can be deployed in any wave environment,” the company said.

Related: Floating platform “blowhole” can generate energy from waves

Clean energy is the obvious and necessary future for the planet. With wave energy generation, it is creating a viable alternative of renewable energy for the planet, which is mostly oceans anyways.

So what kind of deployment would be required of these devices to equal fossil fuel needed by the current Earth population to power society? SWEL claims that a single Waveline Magnet device, scaled to suit the wave climate at EMEC (European Marine Energy Center), would satisfy more than the hub’s current grid-connection capabilities. Additionally, SWEL devices have been developed in wave tanks and tested in live sea environments. R&D indicates that the current model can produce substantial power levels at low cost to compete with non-renewable sources.

The wave energy converter is designed to embrace the surface of the sea, or the “wave line” as it is often referred to by SWEL. This allows the WEC to become one moving mass with the wave itself. Thereby, creating a unique interaction that allows SWEL to regulate how much energy is extracted from the wave in a controlled and non-disruptive manner. The seamless and frictionless interaction is a matchless characteristic of the technology. It allows it to work in harmony and in synchronization with the deployed sea area, producing high levels of power irrespective of the wave profile or weather conditions.

Furthermore, the wave energy converter is designed to hug the surface of the ocean, or the “wave line.” This allows the WEC to become one moving mass with the wave. This allows SWEL to regulate how much energy is extracted from the wave in a controlled manner. The frictionless interaction allows these devices to harvest energy from the ocean regardless of calm or stormy weather conditions.

Even cooler, the SWEL magnet devices can be produced using recycled materials, preventing them from becoming part of the ocean pollution. SWEL devices are also modular, which lowers maintenance cost and timelines for easy repairs. A low mass of materials is needed and no special manufacturing is required, making these cheap and quick to produce. It also does not require wasteful amounts of materials to construct.

You might someday soon have your energy generated by wave magnet devices like these deployed across the oceans. SWEL has created a fleet of generators that offer a levelized cost of energy below the 2020 target.

+ SWEL

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Happy Earth apparel puts the planet first

As the Happy Earth motto goes, “When it comes to the planet, we actually give a damn.” It’s a statement backed up with clothing made from natural materials and attention to every step of the product cycle.

Calling itself a sustainable lifestyle apparel brand, Happy Earth is a Certified B Corporation, a hard-earned classification that requires evaluating the impact of business decisions on workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment. All products are vegan, cruelty-free, organic and made from sustainably-sourced materials.

Related: These bags are made with Fairtrade Certified organic cotton

The apparel line includes sweatshirts, joggers, leggings, dresses and tees. It also sells blankets, hats, jewelry, water bottles and other accessories. Most of the clothing relies on GOTS-certified organic cotton that comes from naturally-watered fields.

Although the leggings, traditionally made from various forms of plastic, are constructed using a touch of Lycra (6%), they are primarily organic cotton and Tencel. The blankets are woven from recycled fibers reclaimed from discarded textiles. Jewelry and hat logos are made from cork, a renewable resource that doesn’t harm trees during harvesting.

The dedication to the environment is easy to see with participation in 1% for the Planet. At checkout, customers can choose where they want donations to go. Each item in your cart can support the planting of 15 trees, 150 pounds of carbon offsets, or the removal of waste from parks, beaches, and streets.

As a Certified B Corp and a company that gives a damn, Happy Earth works with Fair Trade organic cotton farmers, sustainable cork harvesters, and artisans using reclaimed fibers. Manufacturing takes place in WRAP-certified facilities to further ensure fair prices, fair wages, good working conditions, and economic independence.

The certification also means the company is transparent about these steps toward social and environmental performance and legal accountability in the hopes to accelerate “a global culture shift to redefine business success and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.”

Along the supply chain, Happy Earth looks for where emissions occur and evaluates options for reduction. Any remaining carbon footprint is offset through a partnership with the CarbonFund.

The company identifies as a social enterprise. Inasmuch, it takes the extra step to educate consumers about environmental concerns. The company website features an impact section that discusses climate change, the fight against deforestation, the importance of reducing plastic and the steps the company is taking in the battle. The community page offers resources and challenges as well as a journal full of information.

Review of Happy Earth products

The company offered to send me a product to test, which I, of course, eagerly accepted after considering its stance on social responsibility and the statements on the clothing itself. A few days later I received a pair of joggers, a baseball cap, a sticker my son immediately snatched, a pin verifying the donation of trees, an informational card and a nice note.

The packaging is cute, stamped with the Happy Earth and planet-related logos. I was very disappointed to see the items arrive in a plastic bag. However, I did some research and discovered all packaging is made from 100% recycled materials, so I gave back the lost points on that. Plus, it’s strong enough it will be used when we scoop out the kitty litter.

Inside the bag, clothing was left loose rather than being enclosed in additional packaging. A minimalist paper strap was sufficient to hold the joggers in place and everything was in great condition.

The baseball cap is a basic one-size-fits-all design with an adjustable strap on the back. It’s a gorgeous forest green with a very white, White Fir tree embroidered on the front. The company also sells two other hat designs that feature cork logo patches. The White Fir hat is soft and pliable. The cap is made from 100% organic cotton and the flexible fit means it feels broken in from the first wear. Its unisex design appealed to my son as well, who tried to snatch it before I could review it. He might find it gifted for Christmas.

The Arboretum Joggers exceeded my expectations. They are thick and have really nice quality cotton. They feature durable stitching throughout, a soft feel and a comfortable fit. For sizing, note these are snug fitting with a short, jogger fit on the legs. They are unisex sizes so go with the sizing chart, but size up if you want a looser fit. For reference, I’m around 5’6” and 140 pounds and I wouldn’t want them any smaller but I consider the small size a perfect fit.

The cuff hits slightly above the ankle and is loose enough that you can pull it up higher to a Capri length. Generous depth in the pockets makes them a very comfortable and natural place to rest my hands. The drawstring at the waist allows ample room for tying without a lot of excess. I immediately tied knots at each end of the drawstring to avoid losing it in the wash. Perhaps my favorite feature, though, is the band around the waistline. Around three inches deep, it doesn’t dig in or fold over but offers a strong grip and a bit of support around the waist. 

In addition to a great fit and quality feel, I love the look of these joggers, with the two-tone color and botanical accents up the sides. I can see myself living in these, and I probably will.

 + Happy Earth

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Indonesia's Studio N is the Bali retreat of your dreams

Stilt Studio has created an extension of an existing building called Grun Canggu, in Bali, and it is the ultimate Airbnb. Studio N is a spacious one-bedroom studio living concept that was constructed in a set of four separate buildings on a narrow and tricky building site of 745 square meters, or 8,019 square feet.

“The Studio N is designed to seamlessly blend the indoor-outdoor living experience and extend the view towards the expansive rice fields while remaining low-tech and low-impact in the design”, says Therresa Shannen Budihardjo, Architectural Design Lead at Stilt Studios.

The structure is elevated on stilts almost 16 inches off the ground to minimize the building’s footprint and environmental impact. Large sliding window panels are juxtaposed with natural wood elements to create a simple but elegant structure.

Related: This luxury eco hotel uses rammed earth and concrete design

“For this site, we wanted to emphasize the surrounding landscape and how the indoor-outdoor living concept brings nature inside”, says Cokorda G. B. Suryanata, Product Design Lead at Stilt Studios.

The layout is open and combined with low, casual but elegant furniture, which creates a natural sense of flow through the space. Studio N was also designed for hospitality with a blend of indoor and outdoor living. The living area then extends outside toward the rice fields where there is a barbeque area, fire pit, plunge pool, garden and outdoor lounge area.

Additionally, Stilt Studios has its own hospitality operations under Grun Canggu. Such operations allow the development of iterated and highly optimized living units. Meanwhile, the open layout creates an efficient space with living and sleeping areas back to back next to a private bathroom. The home is also equipped with a full kitchen for visitors who are interested in a longer stay.

With the design vision to “tread lightly on earth,” Studio N is an improved version of an older Tetrapod design by the architects. They improved the design by using prefab building elements and sourcing sustainable building materials. Stilt Studios says they learned through the design process of these buildings how to select responsibly sourced materials, optimize waste reduction through prefabrication and save time to minimize the carbon footprint of construction.

Studio N uses solar panels, reclaimed wood decking, recycled river plastic for bathroom panels and more to create the ultimate sustainable vacation retreat.

+ Stilt Studios

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