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This has got to be the first green computer I’ve ever seen. While it might not be a computer for me, it certainly could appeal to a lot of people out there. I can just see a couple of my aunties using a box like this.

Let’s look at the green claims first. Their claim is that the average PC uses 1533 kWh/year while Zonbu uses 131 kWh/year. That’s a difference of 1402 kWh/year. Go check what you are paying per kWh on your electrical bill and see how much this computer would save you in a year.

So how does it work? Simple it’s a Linux based computer with all the basic programs the average person needs. You plug it in and you are off. The system saves energy because it uses flash memory instead of a hard drive and doesn’t need a fan to keep cool, which means it is silent as well. Read more

The hot arid summer across Italy has lead to a sharp increase in locust and the Coldretti have suggested using guinea-hens instead of chemicals to control the pests. That’s a very reassuring approach to insect control especially coming from the Coldiretti, Italy’s largest farmers association. Clearly there are not enough guinea-hens on warehouse shelves to solve the problem at hand, but the fact that they made the suggestion could lead to some promising changes in the years to come. They have been inspired by positive results using the birds and not only does this help farmers in general it is a big help to organic farmers who are in need of a natural solution to the pests.

They go on to suggest that only 3 or 4 birds are needed for every hectare (2.47 acres) of farmland. A number of programs have been started in Italy. For example in Piedmont adherence to the campaign has doubled this year with 428 approved farms that have requested the guinea-hens for a total of approximately 11.000 birds. That’s 428 farms in Piedmont looking to solve insect problems without chemicals. Not only is that a great attempt at an organic solution it will mean less chemicals on our food here, but it will also protect the quality and natural flavors in food that Italian cuisine demands. If you’ve ever traveled to Italy and enjoyed a meal in a local trattoria you know what I mean.

Maybe you’ve seen the article around already. The Home Depot asked their suppliers to give a pitch to have their products included in the new Eco Options marketing campaign. Out of 176,000 suppliers suddenly 60,000 were environmentally friendly. Sounds pretty suspicious to me. Try this on for size. One supplier says his paint brushes are environmentally friendly because the handles are made of plastic and not wood . . . . hmmmm I’d like to see where they grow their plastic.

By the standards of Jarvis, a Home Depot senior vice president, only 2,500 of the products would make the cut. So what do we have to learn from this? There is very little regulation out there so use your better judgment and don’t be fooled by big green signs touting the eco friendliness of the products whether it be at Home Depot or any other store.

Have you ever thought about how much that DVD player is consuming while not in use? I bet you haven’t. Saving water while brushing your teeth is easy since you can see it going down the drain, but all those electronic devices from your computer to the DVD and TV?

I was reading this great article in the New York Times yesterday, “Putting Energy Hogs in the Home on a Strict Low-Power Diet” by Larry Magid. What an eye opener! He suggested that by just turning off devices that you are not using rather letting them remain in standby will save a lot of energy and you’ll see the difference on monthly bill. In his words, “Tweaking can pay off. Annually, my desktop PC is now using 73 percent less energy — saving me $119 a year and depriving the earth of 1,405 more pounds of CO2.”

So how did he discover where the energy was getting wasted? Simple he purchased a nifty $25 energy meter and started testing devices around the house. That device paid for itself in a hurry!