Leave it to the land of Teslas and Leafs to come up with a free charging network provided by advertisers. Volta has combined classic start-up innovation with electric vehicles to provide a free EV charging service. Owning an electric car just gets better and better. With rebates at purchase, reduced maintenance costs, and miles costing pennies compared to traditional gasoline, …
Spotted: Brammo Empulse R Electric Motorcycle
Looks like Brammo’s new electric motorcycle is all grown up. The Empulse R is a beefy and badass looking naked sportbike, with a design reminiscent of the Ducati Monster or Streetfighter. Packed with power, it retains the title for world’s fastest electric motorcycle in serial production both riding and charging. Impressive specs showcase the progression of technology in electric motorcycles …
Your Personal Farmer – Farmscape Gardens
Ever wanted a personal or private garden? If you have the space, they will come… personal farmers that is. Farmscape Gardens is already in Los Angeles, and coming to San Francisco. Creating a personal food garden has never been so easy, even if you don’t have a green thumb, or think you don’t have the space. Farmscape Gardens will come …
A Study in Sustainable Systems – Voices of Transition Documentary Film
Voices of Transition is an inspirational look at problems and solutions to the food security challenges we face as a society. A perspective into a movement from three different angles: agroforestry models in France combining orchards with diverse agricultural fields; permaculture and transition town community initiatives in England; and the abrupt, but necessary, organic farming revolution in Cuba. How can …
Local Organic Produce Delivery CSA Box
In an ever expanding world of home delivery, produce is making a comeback. It is a common occurrence here in the San Francisco Bay Area to see Amazon Fresh and Safeway delivery trucks. On top of that, there are many organic and local produce delivery services popping up in urban areas (see a previous review of SPUD delivery service), but …
Is Your Own Tap Water Cleaner than Bottled Water?
It’s possible. The fact is, cities and states have regulations for water quality, unlike bottled water, which can have higher levels of arsenic, bacteria, and other contaminants*. Recent studies of bottled water commissioned by EWG* have found high levels of disinfection byproducts, fertilizer residue, and pain medication, including 38 chemical pollutants altogether. “FDA Safety and Consumer Protections [for bottled water] …
7 Eco-friendly uses for Hemp
Hemp (Cannabis sativa) has long been associated with the marijuana plant due to its relation and resemblance, however, hemp does not produce the same THC drug as its relative. Still illegal to grow throughout much of the US, this wonder plant suffers by association. Long despised by the cotton industry due to many advantages of hemp over cotton, some small …
Sustainable Sushi Resources
With an explosion in popularity over the last few decades, Sushi is quickly causing overfishing problems impacting several species to the brink of extinction. Bluefin Tuna (Kuromaguro or Toro) is the most dire of these, however, many others such as Yellowtail (Hamachi), eel (Unagi), and many other popular Sushi fish are experiencing major declines. With so many fisheries being impacted …
Blackfish Documentary Movie Review
Blackfish has made a lot of waves lately, from environmental groups applauding the spotlight on captivity and dolphin capturing practices, to entertainers dropping out of Sea World events and companies pulling sponsorships. It may be for good reason. Blackfish is a documentary movie which tells the story of Tilikum, a troubled killer whale that killed several people while in captivity. …
Holiday Shopping and Giving
It is that time of year again! Holiday shopping and gift giving in a rush, but The Chic Ecologist is here to help! Whether searching for that perfect eco experience, trying to lower your impact on the environment this year, or finding unique green gifts for that special someone, I have the list for you! Holiday Shopping Guide Looking to …