michael_snyder's blog

Here is a short (4 min) talk given recently at the TED Talks forum in Monteray Califronia.  The speaker quickly explains how and why roundabouts save far more time, money and energy than stop signs and stop lights as well as having a lighter impact on the natural environment.  In addition, he offers a suggestion for a clever new sign, the "take turns".

A short fun watch that will get you thinking about how we can change roads to improve our communities and improve the environment.

http://www.ted.com/talks/gary_lauder_s_new_traffic_sign_take_turns.html

Bright IdeasHere are 30 more great tips that have the potential to save you tons of CO2 and cash at the same time!

If an individual did all 30 actions on this list then they would save an average of 53,174 lbs of CO2 each year.  That is the equivilant of completely removing nearly 40 cars from the roads in the UK every year (while saving £5,500 ($8,280) in the process)!

1.  Double PaneRead more

The Self Sufficientish BibleFor the second entry we'll take something a bit more practical....

THE SELF SUFFICIENT-ISH BIBLE (AN ECO-LIVING GUIDE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY) BY: ANDY AND DAVE HAMILTON

When/Where Was It Written?:

2008... On a small semi-urban farm outside of Bristol

So, What's the Point (In Exactly 137 Words or Less)?: Andy and Dave are brothers... twin brothers... and they live together... and they do pretty much EVERYTHING together (or so one would surmise from their book). Which would maybe be a little bit sad... if it weren’t for the fact that they seem.... so, well... irresistibly cheery!

Read more

Henry David ThoreauWALDEN, or LIFE IN THE WOODSby  HENRY DAVID THOREAU

When/Where Was It Written?:

In a cabin, by a pond, somewhere in Massachusetts.... all the way back in 1854!  (didn't I say it was classic?)

So, What's the Point (In Exactly 137 Words or Less)?:

Basically: Ole Henry D. gets ticked off at 19th century aristocratic society and decides to isolate himself in a crude cabin in the woods on Walden Pond for ‘two years and two months’ (never mind that the cabin was only a short walk from town and he had relatively frequent visitors...).  Read more

Hey all,I am kicking off my 'Booky Blog'!  Stay tuned here for a semi-periodic blog giving reviews to some of my very favorite Eco-books of all time.  You get my 'Book-Man Mike' guarantee of top quality, prime-leaf (as opposed to prime beef... get it?.... eh, I'll stop) selections. Enjoy! ~ Book-Man

READ, ACT, REPEAT!

Here are two great little free films for you to watch and share:

1. A Short Message From The One-World Wombat (1 min)
2. The Story of Stuff (20 mins)

Enjoy! Read more

Hi All-

Sunday the 14th is the last day to watch the film HOME for free on the web (its completely free, no downloads and is in high definition)! I just saw it last night and it was fantastic!

Here is the link and a blurb:

Mike

http://www.youtube.com/homeproject

Press Release:

Read more