Protecting the environment can be as simple as repairing an item instead of replacing it. Consider this, if you add 50% more useful life to an item, you have reduced the impact of that item by 33%! To go a step further, you have saved money too. The amount of energy and CO2 released from production to delivery of goods is huge, all of these impacts are reduced when we repair items.

Check out the related link for a list of items that repair well.

I remember about 16 years ago, I was working at Egghead Software. We had these really neat packaging peanuts that the company started using, rice puffs. These were a lot like synthetic peanuts but dissolved in water. I have not seen those since.

Now we are looking at a bacteria and sugar based grow to fit packaging. The idea is similar, the product goes right back to nature when you are done with it.

Follow the related link for more information.

When I first saw the image above, I thought "oh nice another clean hot rod at a car show." My next thought was "why is it on an environmentally focused website?" As I looked closer, I realized that is an electric vehicle battery pack where the engine normally sits!

This is not something that will inspire a tidal wave of hot rod conversions. The parts and process are still too costly. However, this is a start.

The electric motor apparently generates about 660 foot pounds of torque at about 300 horsepower! Electric motors are amazing when it comes to torque. The problem is the price, this motor cost around $40,000 and the charger is several thousand dollars as well. Not to mention, every corner gas station does not serve electricity at the pump.

For a better view and details about how this particular car came in to existence, follow the related link below.

This satelite was first developed to help predict floods. The probe, which also monitors photosynthesis and plant growth, can measure moisture to a depth of up to 7ft.

It is also critical for calculating Earth's carbon cycle, the process by which heat-trapping carbon dioxide is released and absorbed, especially by plants and the oceans.

Climate change, scientists agree, is largely caused by CO2 pollution that has upset that natural balance.

Its second job is to measure changes in the salt content of sea surface waters, data that will enhance our understanding of what drives global ocean circulation patterns.

Ocean circulation helps moderates climate, notably by transporting heat from the equator to the poles.

'Climate change is a fact, but its impact on precipitation, evaporation, surface runoff and flood risks is still uncertain,' said Yann Kerr, a researcher at the Centre for the Study of the Biosphere from Space and scientific director for the Smos mission.

For the whole story, follow the related link.

At $150 each, this bag is not in my future for a while. However, this is a start. With the exception of the logo, this is a semi stylish bag.

Read the press release at the related link below.