The whole key to an efficient rooftop solar power system is finding the right roof in the right spot with the least shade, and now a team of scientists has developed a new system (a solar calculator) that can provide visual images of the rooftop solar potential for any existing building....

The post Rooftop Solar Calculator Tells You Your Roof’s Solar Power Potential appeared first on PlanetSave.

Several months ago, back in June of 2010, I wrote up a story on the environmental impact of eating meat based on a new-at-the-time United Nations (UN) report on the matter. I recently ran across another good story on this topic on a friend’s site, Global Warming is Real, titled “Eating Less Meat to Cut CO2 Emissions” that resulted in a follow-up.

The post Livestock Production, Environment, and Going Green appeared first on PlanetSave.

On the same day that the catastrophic 9.0 earthquake hit Japan, March 11, UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation announced the publication of its “Los Angeles Solar Atlas.” Needless to say, it didn’t get much attention at that time. But it is a very useful and interesting publication, so I thought I’d share some of its key aspects and findings with you today.

The post Could Los Angeles be Solar-Powered? appeared first on PlanetSave.

A survey released two weeks ago in conjunction with National Butchers’ Week suggests that many British consumers think that pigs can fly.

The post Can Pigs Fly? appeared first on PlanetSave.

Seventh Generation liquid laundry detergent will soon have a new look. They are introducing a new bottle made of recycled cardboard and newspaper and 66% less plastic.

The post Seventh Generation & EcoLogic Team Up to Create New Eco-Friendly Bottle appeared first on PlanetSave.

Several organic farming programs take in returning soldiers and teach them the basics of organic farming so that they can learn how to earn a living whilst integrating back into civilian life.

The post Returning Soldiers Have Opportunities in Organic Farming appeared first on PlanetSave.

The fast-growing poplar tree is starting to build up its cred as an all-around resource for the sustainable future, and its latest contribution is in the area of new cool roof technology. A research team in China has developed a waterproof coating that mimics the leaf’s highly efficient reflective properties, which could lead to a new generation of roof-cooling materials.

The post Poplar Leaves Inspiration & Model for Energy-Efficient Cool Roof Technology appeared first on PlanetSave.

As a farmer-in-training, I’m always on the look out for great resources on the web. And while you can learn a lot about organic food production by reading, you can learn even more from watching people actually do it.

The post Free Videos, Webinars for Starting Farmers and Gardeners appeared first on PlanetSave.

Worldwide, high crude oil prices, increasing extreme weather events, population growth and economic development of poorer countries, crop-based biofuels, political conflict and unrest in the Middle East, and slowing crop yield growth are all factors contributing to rising food prices.

The post Food Prices on the Rise — Expect that to Stay the Same appeared first on PlanetSave.

OS – a Japanese company that makes retractable screens for projectors – has invented this very handy portable solar power-on-the-go device, that sells for ¥60,000 - or about $730.

The post Solar Power in a Carrying Case appeared first on PlanetSave.

Becky Striepe, editor of one of our sister sites, Eat Drink Better, is giving home gardening a "whirl" and inviting others to join her in the process. Interested?

The post Start a Mini-Garden — Join "Grow Your Own Food Challenge" appeared first on PlanetSave.

Iberdrola subsidiary ScottishPower Renewables plans to install a tidal power project between two islands, Islay and Jura, in the inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. The expected power output of the £40million project will be 10 MW, enough to power twice the number of homes on nearby Islay.

The post Scotland Plans World's Largest Underwater Tidal Turbine Project appeared first on PlanetSave.

Smithfield puts a positive spin on pork production in a new multimedia campaign that it claims “takes the mystery” out of how they use pigs to make pork products... but it doesn't work.

The post Pork Industry Leader Launches New PR Campaign to Counter Criticism appeared first on PlanetSave.

All of Japan’s wind farms are unscathed by the 9.0 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown.

The post Wind Turbines in Japan Weathered Earthquake & Tsunami Fine appeared first on PlanetSave.

I wrote a short piece last week on onshore wind energy being cost-competitive with coal in some regions. Now, EU climate chief Connie Hedegaard has added that offshore wind energy is cheaper than nuclear.

The post Offshore Wind Power Cheaper than Nuclear Power, EU Climate Chief Emphasizes appeared first on PlanetSave.

Here's some awesome news. SPAM gets a huge shot in the chest and the world saves a ton of electricity in the process.

The post SPAM Gets Slammed by Microsoft, World Saves 13 Terawatt Hours of Electricity/Year from It appeared first on PlanetSave.

In the midst of the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan, it has been interesting to see how the world’s leading countries and politicians are responding. If I had even an ounce of hope that Republicans could come around on energy policy in the face of this catastrophe, I think I completely lost it this week.

The post Europe, China Put Nuclear on Hold; U.S. — Full Steam Ahead appeared first on PlanetSave.

The Center for Food Safety and Earthjustice have teamed up to file a lawsuit against the USDA for their approval of GM alfalfa.

The post Center for Food Safety & Earthjustice Sue USDA over GM Alfalfa Approval appeared first on PlanetSave.

After initially saying ‘NO’ to Monsanto’s pilot project, Mexico has succumbed and agreed.

The post Mexico Backs Off Anti-GMO Stance, Approves Monsanto Pilot Project appeared first on PlanetSave.

There is a growing grassroots movement in suburban and urban areas where the local action of growing food is beginning to profoundly transform our neighborhoods and our world. It begins first with a simple attitude shift, when we start thinking of our lawns and backyard gardens as opportunities for sustainably growing food. As we each start to plant a seed, we are healing not only ourselves, but the planet as well.

The post Suburban Gardens and Local Action Can Help Heal the Planet appeared first on PlanetSave.

Energy efficiency policies can create a ton of highly-needed green jobs in the United States.

The post State & National Energy Efficiency Policies Will Create More Jobs appeared first on PlanetSave.

One of the most energy-efficient ways to stay warm on those cool nights is to take a hottie to bed. A hottie uses less energy than an electric blanket or a space heater, and a hottie can help you keep your body hot and your thermostat down.

The post Take a Hottie to Bed — Stay Warm & Save Energy appeared first on PlanetSave.

Throughout the world, opposition is building to fake marine “protected” areas designed to fulfill the agenda of corporate globalization and the privatization of public trust resources. The rights of indigenous people and fishing families are rarely considered in the creation of these racist “no fishing and gathering” zones, whether they are installed in the Chagros […]

The post WikiLeaks: Some Marine Protected Areas Screw Native Peoples, Help Corporations appeared first on PlanetSave.

Not good. A new study showed that food stored in packaging made from recycled cardboard may have some mineral oils that leeched from the cardboard.  Mineral oils have been shown to be toxic on rats and could cause in humans: chronic inflammation of various internal organs cancer. In some foods, the amount of mineral oils […]

The post Are Your Recycled Cereal Boxes Toxic? appeared first on PlanetSave.

Does “natural” mean non-GMO? Not likely. Many breakfast cereals labeled natural are likely to contain ingredients from genetically modified corn, soy, canola, and sugar beets. This was a key finding from a survey of natural cereal manufacturers conducted by The Organic & Non-GMO Report. Several natural cereal manufacturers admitted that their products may contain GM […]

The post GMOs in Most "Natural" Cereals Now appeared first on PlanetSave.

Remember how all the conspiracy nuts claimed the chemicals BP was dumping in the water might actually evaporate into the air and then rain down on the Gulf States, poisoning land, water, and of course, people? And remember how the government officials said, “No, no, no! That could NEVER happen. Not to worry! … But […]

The post NASA: Toxic Dispersants Did Rain on Gulf Coast from BP Oil Spill "Cleanup" appeared first on PlanetSave.

How would you like to get a soda, a bag of chips, and charge your electric vehicle at the same time? Well, in Japan, you may soon be able to. Soon, vending machines in Japan will not only have your favorite refreshments and snacks, but will also be able to charge your car.

The post Japanese Can Charge Electric Vehicles at Vending Machines Soon appeared first on PlanetSave.

Imagine a huge, blue body of water, white sandy beaches, waves crashing onshore and kids playing in the sand. You might be tempted to think of an ocean scene, but I’m talking about a typical July day on any of the Great Lakes. Sans the salty smell and the abundant sea life, the Great Lakes support […]

The post Loving and Saving the Great Lakes appeared first on PlanetSave.

Sailing ships once carried much of the world’s cargo across the seas, until canvas sheets were replaced by low-grade “bunker” oil. Now it appears that wind power is about to make a comeback, in the form of rigid “sails” that double as solar panels. The patent-pending technology, called the Aquarius Solar and Wind Marine Power […]

The post Wind- AND Solar-Powered Sailing Ships the Next Thing? appeared first on PlanetSave.

Green tech has made some stunning advances in the past few years, so it’s tempting to look forward to the day when coal eases its headlock on the American power grid. Coal is an out-of-date fuel that costs an estimated $500 billion yearly in public health impacts. However, even if domestic coal use fades and […]

The post Fake Coal Grassroots Group FACES of Coal Still Causing Trouble appeared first on PlanetSave.

Have you ever wondered which is better for the environment and for fighting global warming/climate change, eating local food or eating vegetarian? A study published on this matter in the journal Environmental Science & Technology answers that question you. Have an idea? Check if you’re right by reading the full post over on our sister […]

The post Local or Vegetarian Food, Which is More Important for Protecting the Environment? appeared first on PlanetSave.

Climate change is not a simple problem, it has ramifications & ramifications & ramifications. Rachel Shuman of EatDrinkBetter delved into one of these this week: declining food safety from climate change. While there has been extensive research on the effects of climate change on food security, less well-known is the effect of climate change on […]

The post Climate Change Also Making Food Less Safe appeared first on PlanetSave.