Biome+you

Biome+You is About Me and You Making a Change.

2010-06-28T22:30:00.022-04:00

As I attend events promoting sustainability and our planet, I find myself rethinking what place Biome+You has in inciting change and advocacy. Tonight I realized that the majority of the apathy surrounding climate change is driven by the use of 'The Planet' as this third party that could use our help, when the reality of the situation is that we are an "infant species that is consuming resources in unprecedented proportions. We treat nature as a limitless commodity." (The 11th Hour) The planet has all the time in the world to 'fix' itself, but we don't.

I just finished watching the documentary, The 11th Hour, and found myself feeling as jolted as I did five years ago when I saw Who Killed the Electric Car, another great documentary.

This piece is a jostling record of the expletive that is our life. I want to tread lightly and give a balanced review of this work, so I will include some resources at the end of this post so you can read reviews from both skeptics and supporters.

The 11th Hour goes through great lengths to avoid the Doomsday rhetoric that inundates similar works. This is evident in their appeal to human sensibility, and its reliance on scientific study and tangible measures instead of the hazy abstractions of melting ice caps and burning forests. I take issue with the pace of the film as I had to rewind about twenty times to digest the gems of information and quotes sewn throughout this film.

Examples:

"Media, technology and services thrive when we free ourselves of fossil fuels. Energy independence allows us to divert our economies to the production of goods and services devoid from the perversions of petroleum lobbyists and agendas."

Akin to the ideals of Who Killed the Electric Car, "Open Energy Competition between dirty and clean fuels would yield more accurate reflections of public opinion then what we see today."

"Every time you buy something, you are voting...making the decision that you accept how this product has been created..."

"Things are the thieves of time...The more you have, the more you have to work and consume to maintain it."

"You can never have enough of what you don't know...consuming to fill a void in awareness."

In all, The 11th Hour is a call to action. An alarm has been sounded. We need to stop debating about whether or not our environment is changing, and make a concerted effort to change even the most granular facets of our lives to do more with less. Even if you're a skeptic about global warming, the worst that could happen from assuming sustainable practices would be an overabundance of resources.

Watch the film in bite-sized portions and take note. Changes in legislation and social norms start with your 'vote, every time you choose to put something in and around your body.

NY Times Review

RottenTomatoes.com Reviews

The 11th Hour Trailer

Funerals are killing the planet!

2010-06-01T21:51:00.007-04:00

ETERNAL REEFS

The traditional funeral is killing the planet. This may be a morbid topic but an important and often overlooked facet of our lives.

For years, we have been expending tons of energy to lay our loved ones to rest in a hazardous way; unbeknownst to us. "827,060 gallons of embalming fluid is buried in the United States each year. The main danger of embalming fluid is to the embalmer and those that manufacture the fluid since it had been known to cause cancer." - Drinking Grandma. Cremation releases mercury into the ground and air, not to mention the cost of the traditional options ($10k and up).

Eternal Reefs is one of the more creative alternatives I have seen to the traditional burial. There are also natural burials and sustainable cemetery options available on the Eternal Reefs website.

Check out the information below and help create a sustainable planet.

See a list of alternatives at www.eternalreefs.com

Eternal Reefs on Fox News

Get Lit!

2010-05-18T21:05:00.005-04:00

Eco fashion can keep you charged no matter what the weather. The Ultimate Green Store has all the latest in products to support a sustainable lifestyle.

Get out there and shop!

Go Green Expo | Jao Packs The POW!

2010-04-18T17:40:00.020-04:00

Gale Mayron, alongside her father David, have unlocked the ancient secrets of Roman conquerors to ward off evil spirits and keep clean and moisturized at the same time. Jao is a line of bath and body products that uses no dyes, petroleum or artificial fragrances. I've used the moisturizer and hand-sanitizer for about a year now and have never looked back. This stuff lasts a long time because very little goes a long way. There is no dry, sticky feeling or chemical aroma. Clean doesn't have to feel that way : )

I could go on and on about the blissful scent of eucalyptus in this product, but I'll let Gale share her two-cents. Check out the video below and watch me cure my ashy elbows while Gale shares the story behind Jao.

Find Jao Products at a store near you.

Go Green Expo | KABS Electric Bicycles

2010-04-18T17:17:00.004-04:00

I was introduced to KABS Electric Bicycles by Tai Ajani at NYC's Go Green Expo 2010. KABS are hybrid electric bicycles that allow you to commute to work and run errands around town with a single charge of the 10Amp 48Volt onboard battery. You'll be able to travel 40miles per charge at break-neck speeds of 20MPH. - The average person travels 33.4miles/day.

Find more electric bikes and mobility HERE.

Going Green, A Crappy Situation

2010-04-14T22:18:00.008-04:00

Go Green Expo Entry 1: Mr. Ellie Pooh

This beautiful display caught my eye at the Go Green Expo.

This paper company is taking fare-trade to the next level. They have created fantastic stationary and books for the Eco-Masses. What's even more enticing is the story behind the paper. "These products are 100% handcrafted, 100% recycled, 75% dung but most of all, 100% fun." Yes, you read correctly; 75% dung - elephant pooh to be precise. Elephant pooh, pooh being the technical term, is a prime candidate for extracting paper because elephants eat such a healthy and fibrous diet.

Buying paper products from Mr. Ellie Pooh supports the jobs and families of the workers who make the paper in Sri Lanka.

Check out the media below for more information on the PPP (Poop Paper Process).

Mr. Ellie Pooh

Go Tufts Jumbos!

Leave It Better Than You Found It...

2010-04-12T12:46:00.002-04:00

Do you remember playing with Legos in first grade or being in an elementary school art class? I'm still in that environment, but that's not the point : ) In these wonder years, your parents and teachers tried to instill in you a sense of responsibility for the things you used and the spaces you were in. "You should always leave it better than you found it!" my granny would say.

I think that meme still rings true today in a different way. As adults, we need to unclutter our lives, "empty our backpacks" - Gotta see Up In The Air.

But Steve, how do we do this? (@marquesstewart)

I have no idea, but I have found some inspiring examples of people trying to live simply while having minimal impact on the planet. They not only clean up their rooms, but they clean up their community and in-turn, the world we live in. I found it fitting that I plug the documentary, No Impact Man. This is the story of Colin Beavan's, no impact, family project. I appreciate this film because it shoes both extreme consumption and environmentalism while inciting a discussion on finding a middle ground.

I'm not expert, and certainly don't want to impose lifestyles on anyone. I take these examples and draw from them the greater habits that are involved in using less. I wouldn't give advice that I wouldn't follow myself, so my fiance and I will be working on doing our own impact experiment. It can be something as simple as no television for a week then gradually incorporating things like candles, instead of lights. I don't know what the best scenario is for you, but every bit makes a difference. Eliminating the extras or distractions may encourage family interactions that you never thought possible.

10 Things You Can Do

We don't have to throw our televisions out the window and make butter at home to reduce our impact, but in the process, you may learn to appreciate the nuances of your environment. - The rare glimmer of a star you may see through the haze of New York City's night sky.

Join others in the 1Week No Impact Experience

No Impact Man Trailer

Back Where I Started...

2010-04-07T23:00:00.003-04:00

Go Green Expo 2010!

Biome+you has come full circle this year. The Eco Skeptic and I attended this year's events in full force. The venue, Pier 92 NYC, was host to several star-studded guest speakers; the likes of Ed Begley Jr and Mariel Hemmingway. There was also a showcase of young innovators who I will be highlighting in coming posts.

Stay glued to this site and feel free to share your eco-story here by emailing info@biomeandyou.com!

LEED the Way!

2010-04-07T22:31:00.002-04:00

The countdown begins...

I'm taking my LEED GA (Green Associate) Exam next Saturday. The path to Greendom is tough, and cramming is not the way.

I took an amazing Everblue Energy prep course that provided me with all the tools necessary for building green. I'm buckling down and studying while balancing some other green projects (that will remain unnamed for the moment).

Stay tuned for more updates, including snippets from New York City's Go Green Expo 2010.

"There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed."

~Mohandas K. Gandhi

Ways to Help Haiti

2010-01-23T22:21:00.003-05:00

A disaster recently hit my motherland of Haiti. I've had loved ones lost and others spared from the devastation. You can have a huge impact on the future of Haiti, helping it rebuild in a sustainable way. I've posted some ways you can make a difference below.

10 Ways to help Haiti

DIY Solar Panel

2009-12-02T15:00:00.001-05:00

Best Green Blogs + Me

2009-12-01T22:16:00.004-05:00

Check out some of the Best Green Blogs around. I'm in the running for 2010.

Miss Me?

2009-12-01T21:44:00.004-05:00

Sorry for going MIA last month. I've been diving into the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) world and absorbing every bit of information I possibly can about the USGBC (United States Green Building Counsel) in preparation for my LEED GA exam prep. If anyone would like to share my 'yolk', feel free to log onto the USGBC LEED Prep site and start studying. You can find more resources, such as online course at Everblue.com & Greenbuild365.

I'm working on joining my local USGBC Chapter in NYC. You can also join the mailing list for Emerging Green Builders, "a coalition of students and young professionals in the New York City area intent on promoting the integration of future leaders into the green building movement."

As I prepare for this exam and delve into some green projects that are underway, I will try to keep you posted on my experiences. Feel free to share your experiences on green projects or events you are participating in around the world!

I have some great bits to come : )

Haul A$$!

2009-10-13T21:39:00.012-04:00

Now, I'm telling your bike, not you, to haul ass, since you're the mule in this scenario. As you can see, my makeshift bike taxi has been doing overtime (see figure 2 above). Ok, ok! It's not "my" bike, per se; but it's obvious someone has been putting in some serious work.

Luckily for us, today's bike trailers, hitches, cargo bags, saddles, extensions, stone wheels, etc...(deep breathe) have evolved into less cumbersome designs. BEHOLD THE EVOLUTION BELOW!

original treehugger article

The mighty mouse of bike trailers from Carry Freedom

Hire this guy to do your cheap city moving.

Go Deustch with the Royal Shopper Plus

BicycleR Evolution has a plethora of tried and tested solutions for toting around groceries and kayaks : )

IKEA trips are a breeze with the Super Hero Trailer!

Meet B.O.B.

Toilet Tea Time ; /

2009-08-19T00:08:00.004-04:00

It's tea-time! I'm not sure how many Americans love bidet's but in India it's all the craze according to electrical engineer Sandip who designed the biodegradable toilet tea cup! (brace yourself, I think I can recover from this one).

On long cramped commutes, it's hard to cary a decent bidet/douche with you. Most passengers resort to carrying water bottles or tea-cups with them to cleanse their special areas. It is this great frustation with the disparaging act of using a teacup to cleanse oneself that bore Sandip's brainchild, the biodegradable teacup (not FDA approved for drinking or reuse : ). Passengers can now purchase these 1.3 liter containers at the train station and toss them without a care in the world, because they'll be nothing but a memory after an hour of decomposition.

Leave it to the Danes to issue a 500k euro prize for this advent in humanity.

original article

Guilty Green Pleasures - Ladies?

2009-08-05T22:04:00.006-04:00

Guilty pleasures can be green too! Julie Apple, former designer at Le Sportsac, has brought better, greener totes, handbags and pouches (Don't ask how I know this lingo : ) I'm going to cut myself short right here before doing further damage to my masculinity.

What I was trying to say was that Julie Apple has incorporated a waterless dye (airdye) into her designs to reduce the water consumed in the production of these bags. Check out the Julie Apple bags and enjoy the guilt-free shopping!

original article

My wedding BLING is gonna kick GRASS!

2009-07-17T00:05:00.002-04:00

Yes, I've been out of commission for a while, BUT it was for good reason. I've been been pulling a double-shift on fiance duties: making sure invites, food and even bling are as green as possible ; ) My fiance and I have been supporting independent local artists through Etsy for invitations, couture, etc... I chose a unique titanium and bamboo wedding band from ZoeandDoyle's shop. This is truly one of a kind and made from my favorite grass - NO, not that! Bamboo of course.

***Check out more designs that kick grass***

The Ultimate Camping Car

2009-06-09T22:49:00.012-04:00

This 2-story camper comes to you circa Y2K. I'm not sure how green it is but I am enthralled by its design (clean lines and...umm...clean lines). This two-story camper has a Japanese-style room on the upper level that rivals the size of most New York City apartments. This cube camper also features a stove, bathroom, sundeck and lots of storage. I'd swap this baby with my "NYC 1 bedroom" any day. If you want a change of scene, fill'er up!

Where can I get my hands on one of these?
You'll have to trek to Japan for that answer. In the meantime you can visit the Two-Story Camper online and peruse the images below.

Check out some more mobile living at Tree Hugger.

The Lazy Environmentalist

2009-06-09T21:18:00.002-04:00

Finally! A show that reinforces my drive for going green while saving green. Nuff Said. Check out Sundance Channel's recession guide to environmentalism.

The Lazy Environmentalist

Planet Green | Couch Potatos, Do your part!

2009-05-29T20:23:00.009-04:00

Today I'm being the worst couch potato ever, but for good reason. I'm catching up on the hours of DVR'd green shows from Dicovery's Planet Green and Science Channel. [Find the channel for your area].
The Discovery Network has been working hard to bring you the latest in green living, from food to fashion and green school busses that run on french fries and worm poop (yumm!). I'm personally catching up on my favorite shows:

Invention Nation

Three gadget geeks drive a green school bus across the country in search of grassroots green inventors. Along their journey they share the processes behind sustainable inventions that stand to change the way we live.

Greenovate

Greenovate takes you into the homes of families undergoing massive personality changes.

World's Greenest Homes

Emanuel Belliveau takes you around the globe to see the greenest, and sometimes eccentric, homes this planet has to offer.

The green series of shows from Discovery can teach you how to run your car on vegetable oil and do a green home renovation all while saving money (sometimes). That's it for me. You may return to your regularly scheduled program : ) .

Fish + DJ + Bicycle ?

2009-05-28T21:14:00.016-04:00

Bicycles, Fish and Dj's blend seamlessly in this cannonade of music, flesh and fashion.

Cyclists from coast to coast have been tricking out their bikes to haul herculean loads or provide taxi service around the streets of NYC, but no one has come close to expressing themselves so explicitly with their bicycle artistry as this guy.

If Radio Raheem cruised the streets on a bright red Radio Flyer, this would be the seed of his inspiration. Ok, so that analogy didn't work for you. Well if David Guetta ever did a collabo/remix with Lance Armstrong, this would be their love-child...A child named Choprical Fish!

The eclectic sounds of Choprical Fish + DJ UMDJ pulse through the streets trailing their custom-made party bike. This party on wheels runs on 100% PEOPLE POWER. The party don't stop till you get enough (or you pass out from drunken pedaling, whichever comes first) : ) If you don't drink and find my previous statement appalling, what I meant to say was get "drunk" with the sounds and rhythms emanating from this eco DJ booth/fish-cycle thingy. Ummm....Yeah.

Check it out

Insert gratuitous Radio Raheem clip HERE

Is your backyard green enough?

2009-05-21T22:38:00.011-04:00

Check your yard! Is it green? You may think so but most of us in The Big Apple don't have access to the luxuries of clean air or STREETS at that.

This story hit especially close to home because it is being piloted in NYC, and one of the co-founders, Cassie Flyn, is a friend of a friend - who woulda thunk it? (Green neighbors, share your story at info@biomeandyou.com and let your voice be heard! )

If you're wondering what you can do to make a difference, you can share your project idea with ioby.org (pronounced eye-OH-be) which stands for "in our backyards." IOBY is a an environmental non-profit in New York City that supports local environmental projects ranging from community gardens to green roofs -- allowing you the opportunity to donate your time and/or money to a project in your community.

Learn what you can do preserve your piece of The Green Apple

Listen to Erin Barnes, one of the co-founders of IOBY, speak on NPR.

I'm Getting Hitched!

2009-05-19T23:19:00.004-04:00

If you haven't been following my fiancé's blog teneleventen here's the update. I'm being enslaved (according to my groomsmen), I mean getting married on 10.11.10 - Yes, 10.10.10 was SOLD OUT!

In NYC, green space goes for top dollar. Who thought renting out a barn could cost you a semester's worth of tuition. For those of you who are planning to incorporating green gems into your wedding, check out The Ultimate Green Wedding Guide. It's packed with quizzes, tips and tricks that will help you green your wedding.

Eco Loft | Visionaire Building Mixer

2009-05-05T23:12:00.002-04:00

The VISIONAIRE Eco Living

Pix from the Go Green Expo

2009-05-05T21:35:00.001-04:00

Headless Water

2009-05-01T21:06:00.004-04:00

You're sitting in your windowless office on a sweltering summer day in the city. The building's air-conditioning is being repaired so there is no semblance of moving air other than the breath escaping your parched lips.

"What could be better than a cool refreshing glass (or reusable container) of water?" you think to yourself.

You rush to the staff water-cooler to find a mountain of empty water bottles and a sign on the cooler that reads, "If you kill it, refill it."

All too familiar with this scenario, I sought out Tana Water Systems at New York City's Go Green Expo.

Meet the Headless Water Systems

A Green Day

2009-04-29T23:32:00.005-04:00

I know, I know. You HATE having to wash and press those collared shirts, suits and slacks for work! You may have read some articles telling you that it's greener to steam your own clothes rather than bathing them in chemicals at the dry cleaners. The reality is, New Yorkers are always on the run and have somewhere to be, but this doesn't mean there isn't a green alternative for these folks.

Scene: Enter Green Apple Cleaners

I stumbled upon this company at NYC's Go Green Expo, drawn in by their clever display of green apples. Their mission is to remove all the harmful carcinogens from the dry-cleaning process so that you can breathe clean air when wearing that fabulous ensemble rather than worry about the off-gassing of poisonous compounds. Visit their site to search for a location near you.

Now that your freshly pressed clothes are home, what do you do with the cumbersome plastic wrap and wire hangers?

Darleen, founder of Agreenday, has the answer. This organization designs custom organic cotton and nylon garment bags for you to use and reuse each time you get your dry-cleaning done. Several of these garment bags have made their way to charities, galas and even the U.N. There is currently a garment bag design contest to win $5,000.

I got a chance to speak with the lovely Mandy Lile, Eco Journalist on the Mandy Lile Show, who describes this product a heck of a lot better than me.

Oh, and don't think I forgot about the hangers from the question I posted earlier. Green Apple Cleaners will take back your wire hangers to be reused. You are now armed to go to work looking FRESH and green, courtesy of Biomeandyou.com : )

Heeeeeeere's Mandy!

Your resource for local Green in NYC

2009-04-24T23:12:00.006-04:00

Hello Green Apple!

I promised you some useful information and I’m here to deliver.

Do you hate that chemical smell that lingers in your private jet after your maid has just cleaned up?

Do you feel your money going down the drain every-time you flush?

Do you wish you could enjoy the fizzy taste of soda (or ‘pop’ for the Bostonians) in a natural way?

[Whatever your need, you can find it close to home with hundreds of green vendors in New York City.]

Bed in a Box...Literally

2009-04-24T22:21:00.008-04:00

Floor space, or any space at that, is a commodity in New York City. Many designers have introduced creative solutions to this problem (Micro Home), but few have been so avant-guard as Emanuel Combarel Dominique Marrec, creator of the Bedroom-in-a-Box.

If you don't have the floor space, hang your bedroom from the ceiling.

You wouldn't want to wake up on the wrong side of this bed : (

If you have the ceiling height for such a unique upgrade, you'll be a certified Greeny, utilizing every cubic inch of your existing space ( Imagine the pickup line: "You wanna see my bedroom?...No...Really." )

Original Article

Weekend in Review | Go Green Expo

2009-04-23T22:54:00.012-04:00

Friends, Americans, Countryment, lend me your ears, for GREEN is upon us!

Breathe Deep

Can't get rid of that SUV? Here's your alternative

I rushed the Green Expo with camera crew in tow (aka. Marques "The Cynic") and have prepared some great reviews for you. There were so many innovative products, people and gorillas (you'll understand soon) that I can not possibly fit them into one post. SO, I will be posting about the inspirational people and their products throughout the week. There is something for everyone and everything for anyone.

Stay tuned for the fun-filled, haphazard antics of Smilez and The Cynic.

Go Green Expo NYC!

2009-04-23T21:53:00.003-04:00

I covered NYC's second annual Go Green Expo 4 days before Earth Day. If you didn't attend, don't worry; that's why I'm here. I will be bringing you highlights from the over 200 green vendors in attendance.

What is Biome+you?

2009-04-23T20:07:00.014-04:00

Biome+you | People for the Planet

After years of watching other people put their green ideas into motion to save the planet, I realized that I want to be part of the change, too. We all need to do something now, no matter how small.

The goal of this blog is to share my experiences, ideas and innovations to create a more sustainable world. I hope you are inspired by my posts and I invite you to comment on what you’re doing to “Go Blue.” (The planet is mostly water, right?)

Welcome to the green revolution,
Bienvenue | 歓迎 | Willkommen | Welcome | Boa vinda | Bienvenido

Steve (Smilezdusoleil)

Biome+you

Biome+You is About Me and You Making a Change.

Funerals are killing the planet!

Get Lit!

Go Green Expo | Jao Packs The POW!

Go Green Expo | KABS Electric Bicycles

Going Green, A Crappy Situation

Leave It Better Than You Found It...

Back Where I Started...

LEED the Way!

Ways to Help Haiti

DIY Solar Panel

Best Green Blogs + Me

Miss Me?

Haul A$$!

Toilet Tea Time ; /

Guilty Green Pleasures - Ladies?

My wedding *BLING* is gonna kick GRASS!

The Ultimate Camping Car

The Lazy Environmentalist

Planet Green | Couch Potatos, Do your part!

Fish + DJ + Bicycle ?

Is your backyard green enough?

I'm Getting Hitched!

Eco Loft | Visionaire Building Mixer

Pix from the Go Green Expo

Headless Water

A Green Day

Your resource for local Green in NYC

Bed in a Box...Literally

Weekend in Review | Go Green Expo

Go Green Expo NYC!

What is Biome+you?

My wedding BLING is gonna kick GRASS!