Paloma’s Nest ‘Neighborhood’ Chairs Double As Dollhouses

Heirloom gift company Paloma’s Nest has just come out with a new line of ’ Neighborhood’ chairs , which are available in three different styles, adding instant eco-style to a children’s playroom or family room. And as an added bonus, they double as dollhouses. The dollhouse-chairs are entirely handmade from non-toxic birch plywood, and they’re finished with natural varnish. And instead of using screws and nails, the chairs fit together with wooden biscuits and hidden joints, meaning safe seating for little ones. READ MORE > Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: birch , childrens furniture , dollhouse chair , eco friendly chair , eco-friendly furniture , green chairs , natural varnish , Neighborhood chair , non-toxic birch , Paloma’s Nest , plywood , wooden biscuits

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Paloma’s Nest ‘Neighborhood’ Chairs Double As Dollhouses

Toyota Unveils the Plug-In Prius

Toyota has unveiled a new plug-in version of its hybrid Prius for the 2012 model year. Although the aftermarket has been offering conversion kits to allow it, and Toyota’s competitors have come out with a variety of plug-in electric vehicles and hybrids , only now is Toyota producing a hybrid vehicle that can be recharged by plugging it in. Almost since it was first released, Toyota has been working on numerous new versions of its iconic Prius, but it has taken until recently for any of these to reach the public. We’ve seen concepts for other Prius options , and Toyota is now bringing these to the market. In addition to the new plug-in version, there is also the original Prius, and the larger Prius v.  Also, Toyota will also be bringing out another version called the Prius c in 2012. The plug-in Prius now uses lithium ion batteries, rather than the nickel metal-hydride batteries in earlier models. The 4.4 kWh battery will give the new Prius a range of 15 miles at 62 miles per hour (about 24 km at 100 kph) in electric-only drive*. The car “is expected to achieve a manufacturer-estimated 87 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) in combined driving and 49 MPG in hybrid mode.” hat tip to: @JaymiHeimbuch [* edited to clarify range is for electric drive]

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Toyota Unveils the Plug-In Prius

‘Best’ Green Brands List Implies That Greenwash Works

Car makers do well in the public’s perception of green companies. Illustration by wallygrom (busy at work) via flickr and Creative Commons. Interbrand has come out with their list of the world’s ‘best’ or top 50 green brands. And as they say in their report analysis, “a number of brands on the Best Global Green Brands table show large gaps between performance and perception.” … Read the full story on TreeHugger

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‘Best’ Green Brands List Implies That Greenwash Works

More People Eating Alternative Fish as Fish Fight Gains Momentum in the UK

Photo: channel4 In January, national treasure, chef and writer Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall spearheaded a campaign called “Fish Fight” in response to the “insane waste” caused by North Sea fishermen throwing back almost a million dead and dying fish every year. He had a series of t.v. shows, a themed week at a department store and a petition to the Europe… Read the full story on TreeHugger

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More People Eating Alternative Fish as Fish Fight Gains Momentum in the UK

Drug Traffickers Threaten ‘Uncontacted’ Amazon Tribe

Image: Survival International Little is known about the Amazon’s few remaining uncontacted tribes, who for centuries have practiced their traditional ways of life in the remotest regions of the world’s largest rainforest — but many fear that they may be learning the worst about us. According to Brazil’s National Indian Foundation (Funai), a gang of heavily-armed, Peruvian drug traffickers are believed to have recently ransacked an isolated indian outpost, driving away or killing the numerous indigenous peoples there, now considered ‘missing’. The events highlight yet another threat facing a region hard-hi… Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Drug Traffickers Threaten ‘Uncontacted’ Amazon Tribe

Pediatricians Say U.S. Policy Fails Children on Chemical Safety

Image: christina rutz via flickr Pediatricians are, at least in theory, among the most trusted groups of professionals in the country, so it’s notable when they come out with a position statement on the health of our children and the lack of proper policy to protect the most at-risk populations . That’s exactly what has happened this week: the American Academy Of Pediatrics released a

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Pediatricians Say U.S. Policy Fails Children on Chemical Safety

Chevrolet Volt & Nissan LEAF Earn Top Safety Ratings from IIHS

Photo courtesy of IIHS Two Very Safe Electric Cars The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted its first-ever crash test of plug-in electric cars with the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan LEAF getting slammed for a good cause.

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Chevrolet Volt & Nissan LEAF Earn Top Safety Ratings from IIHS

Researchers Tap Virus to Improve Solar Cell Efficiency By 32%

Photo by WarOnTomato via Flickr CC Researchers are usually figuring out how to get rid of viruses, but in an interesting twist they have figured out how to harness viruses to boost the efficiency of solar cells. Scientists at MIT have figured out how to make a genetically engineered virus help build carbon nanotubes that give solar power a push.

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Researchers Tap Virus to Improve Solar Cell Efficiency By 32%

EPA Gives Nissan LEAF 73-Mile Range Rating

The EPA has come out with its official fuel efficiency ratings for the Nissan LEAF and the battery range rating falls short of Nissan’s 100-mile claim at 73 miles.

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EPA Gives Nissan LEAF 73-Mile Range Rating

Brave the Cold in Earthtec Winter Outerwear (Photos)

Earthtec Tuperlo Hooded Jacket. Photo: Earthtec Brrr …soon it will be necessary to wrap up in a winter coat before braving the great outdoors. Earthtec apparel has just come out with a men’s and women’s activewear collection of jackets and hoodies, made from post consumer recycled water bottles (PET) and organic cotton, at reasonable price points

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Brave the Cold in Earthtec Winter Outerwear (Photos)