green energy, green bikes and green buses

Happy Monday Everyone ! Bon Lundi Tout Le Monde !

Yesterday, D'Angelo left me a comment asking how green hydroelectricity is... From what I know, it's renewable energy source which uses sand to generate electricity, usually falling over a dam. The electricity is generated from the movement of water and it is therefore a non-polluting energy source ("no direct waste.") Therefore, it's pretty green :)

That's the extent of my knowledge on that area, but speaking of energy, kinetic energy specifically (such as "hydroelectricity") you've got a check out this very green bike that produces kinetic energy to help run the hybrid buses of London. This is only a prototype at this point, but WOW, très cool to say the least! The idea is one rents the bike, uses it, and any energy that is made when braking is stored for London's hybrid buses. Plus you get a credit towards your bus pass for the energy you helped create. How ecoAwesome is that?


In fact, also according to InHabitat (where I learned about the "Ingenious Energy-Generating Bike Rental System") London has already rolled out six of their Hybrid Double Decker Volvo Buses, and will roll out more if successful!

"London’s iconic double-decker buses recently received an eco update as six highly efficient hybrid Volvo vehicles hit the streets for the first time. The new B5L two-story buses retain their classic red color, but under the hood a hybrid drivetrain saves 25% on fuel consumption while significantly reducing emissions and noise. "

Needless to say London certainly appears dedicated to being in the forefront of sustainability. Kudos London!

That's my ecoInspiration for you today :) Here's to GREEN ENERGY =)

Thanks for asking your question, D'Angelo!

xo,
ej

Ecosavvying instead of Greenwashing

Did you know ecojot is green but also BETTER?
Originally uploaded by ecojotter

Today's "Did you know Ecojot..." card is brought to you by the colour olive-green, and the letter K for Kermit the frog.

As today's card mentions "It's simply not good enough to be green anymore. Today, every company, whether truthfully or not, claims to be as a green as Kermit the frog. Ecojot walks the talk and more..."

Do you agree? Have you heard the term "greenwashing?" Apparently the term was coined by a suburban NY environmentalist Jay Westerveld in 1986 in response to the hotel industry's practice of encouraging hotel guests to reuse their towels to "save the environment." We all know the cards. Westerveld wrote that, in most cases, little or no effort was being made to actually recycle, mainly because there were no cost-cutting benefits.

In my opinion, when it comes down to a few simple, but not always easy things.....

• Honest marketing campaigns from companies.
• Being well-informed consumers (or as I prefer eco-savviests); and
• Balance. We all consume products. We can't just stop. And I certainly doesn't always buy green, but we can make more conscious choices.

So on that note, and because they happen to be one of my favourite Canadian designers... Preloved is having their Annual Sample & Warehouse Sale from January 26 to 29 at 24 Ryerson Avenue, Toronto. Are you familiar with Preloved?


Click on the images above or below to be directed to their website. "Preloved creates one of a kind clothing from reclaimed vintage fabrics." My favourite piece is a black strapless dress made out of trench coats, of which I get frequent compliments! Perhaps I'll see you at the sale...


That's it for now. Tomorrow I'll be announcing my January Giveaway...

xo,
ej