MNN - Mother Nature Network

The New York Times steps inside the Flatbush, Brooklyn abode of Jerome Johnson, a "Swiss Family Robin"-esque home described as one of New York City's first "solar-conscious" residences. Owned by Johnson — who owes the city thousands upon thousands of dollars for unpaid property taxes and water bills — for over 50 years, the home is "is a testament to Mr. Johnson’s innovative spirit and do-it-yourself approach. There are skylights made from plastic lids taken from stereo turntables. Reflective wallpaper on the ceiling refracts heat from electric lights, he said. There is no running water, and rainwater is collected from rooftop basins."

 

GOOD admires the L-Prize winning handiwork of Dutch electronics giant Philips: a 10-watt, incandescent-replacing LED bulb described as "probably the most tested lightbulb in history." The bulb, due to hit the market in 2012, will most likely hover around $40 in price. A bit spendy, yes, but consider that the energy-sipping bulb does boast a lifespan of around 35 years or more. That's it pictured up top.

 

Jetson Green rounds up "8 Modern LED Desk Lights for the Home" including models from Koncept Technologies, Artemide, Steelcase, and Yves Behar for Herman Miller. 

 

Inhabitat congratulates the Lucinda, the first residential project on Manhattan's tony/fratty Upper East Side to receive LEED certification. The 20-story, Cook + Fox-designed condo complex on Lexington Avenue between 85th and 86th Streets boasts numerous water- and energy-saving features. 

 

The Daily Mail elaborates on the ridiculous tale of a green-fingered British granny battling her local town council over the "unathorised development" of a 12-inch tall wooden border surrounding her front garden. Says defiant fence-erector Christine Hudson: 'The border panel is on my land and it is just 12 inches high, so I find all this really very petty." I'll say.

 

 

The Huffington Post tunes in for "Picker Sisters" a new DIY decorating show on Lifetime where "two very attractive interior decorators [Tracy Hutson and Tanya McQueen from 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'] travel around the country looking for junk. They purchase different pieces here and there, and take them back to LA where they have a hunky contractor named Alan to help change the junk into object d'art." Due to the attractive-women-wearing-shorts-rooting-around-in-rural-salvage-yards nature of the show, critic Jackie K. Cooper calls it a "horror movie waiting to happen." 

 

EcoFriend marvels at a new, revolutionary concept LED lamp from Cree that consumes only 8.7 watts while producing a staggering 1,300 lumens — the amount of light emitted by a 75-watt bulb. 

 

The Los Angeles Times advises on how to water and much during the final, parched stretch of Southern California's dry season. Writes Emily Green: "As moisture from winter rains recedes in the soil, we need to recharge it. But using water to emulate spring and push growth only stresses plants. Rather, the object of watering in late summer is to maintain stasis and prevent damage."

 

Fast Company recommends moving to the city in order to help save the rainforests. Writes Greg Lindsay: "The world’s forests double as the planet’s lungs. So when it comes to a natural solution to sequestering carbon emissions, a pressing question is exactly how much air those lungs can hold. The answer is better than expected--and the unlikely reason may have to do with our increased urban living."

 

Re-Nest digs Elvis & Kreese's reclaimed fire hose accessories including a coaster and placemat set, candlestick holders, and more. Fifty percent of the sale of each item — crafted from genuine decommissioned hoses collected from fire brigades across Britain — is donated to the Fire Fighter's Charity.