What you should know about toothpaste ingredients and our top natural paste picks.

What you should know about toothpaste ingredients and our top natural paste picks.

The news from Iceland has been all about its economic meltdown, but there’s other seismic activity going on there, too. Will Iceland roll with hydrogen vehicles or, as it looks increasingly likely, plug-in battery ones?

Despite the delivery, during the Copenhagen climate talks, of 10 new Ford Focus FCV fuel-cell vehicles into the tiny country of just 300,000 people (adding to a small fleet of 10 hydrogen-burning Priuses), it’s still likely that Iceland will have an EV infrastructure before there’s extensive fuel cell operations. (Photo: Ford.)

Iceland is still on the ropes financially, and that complicates the purchase of any high-tech cars in what is otherwise the greenest country on earth (according to the Yale/Columbia Environmental Performance Index). After all, more than 80 percent of Iceland’s energy use is from ultra-clean domestic sources, including geothermal and hydro.

Iceland already produces far more electricity than its small use (which explains the presence of those current-heavy aluminum smelters). It could easily produce hydrogen in bulk, too. So which way will it go?

The news from Iceland has been all about its economic meltdown, but there’s other seismic activity going on there, too. Will Iceland roll with hydrogen vehicles or, as it looks increasingly likely, plug-in battery ones?

Despite the delivery, during the Copenhagen climate talks, of 10 new Ford Focus FCV fuel-cell vehicles into the tiny country of just 300,000 people (adding to a small fleet of 10 hydrogen-burning Priuses), it’s still likely that Iceland will have an EV infrastructure before there’s extensive fuel cell operations. (Photo: Ford.)

Iceland is still on the ropes financially, and that complicates the purchase of any high-tech cars in what is otherwise the greenest country on earth (according to the Yale/Columbia Environmental Performance Index). After all, more than 80 percent of Iceland’s energy use is from ultra-clean domestic sources, including geothermal and hydro.

Iceland already produces far more electricity than its small use (which explains the presence of those current-heavy aluminum smelters). It could easily produce hydrogen in bulk, too. So which way will it go?

The Wheego Whip Life: 90 miles on a charge. (Credit: Jim Motavalli)

ATLANTA–We’ve reached the make-or-break point for electric vehicles. As many as a half dozen different models will be on the road by the end of the year, and when it comes right down to it we have no idea if people will line up to buy them.

There are several big hurdles, including price (EVs will be significantly more expensive than we’re used to — small two-seat cars will start around $25,000), unfamiliarity (people will be plugging in at night, instead of going to the gas station) and range anxiety (most of these cars will go only 100 miles between charges).

Last week, I talked to Mary Ann Wright, managing director of the business accelerator at major battery maker Johnson Controls (they’re supplying lithium-ion packs to both the BMW and Mercedes-Benz hybrids), and heard about the “EV gap.” She said the industry worldwide has the capacity to produce four million cars, but the actual demand might be only two million.

Wright was among several witnesses at a Senate hearing last week asking the feds, specifically the Department of Energy, for help closing that gap — with one popular concept being the mass purchase of EVs for government fleets, which could include more than a million vehicles. It makes a lot of sense, particularly because fleet cars come back to central depots that make recharging a cinch.

Wright also told me that EV costs will come down with desperately needed volume. “Scale won’t get us all the way, but it is going to be a significant driver,” she said.

The Wheego Whip Life: 90 miles on a charge. (Credit: Jim Motavalli)

ATLANTA–We’ve reached the make-or-break point for electric vehicles. As many as a half dozen different models will be on the road by the end of the year, and when it comes right down to it we have no idea if people will line up to buy them.

There are several big hurdles, including price (EVs will be significantly more expensive than we’re used to — small two-seat cars will start around $25,000), unfamiliarity (people will be plugging in at night, instead of going to the gas station) and range anxiety (most of these cars will go only 100 miles between charges).

Last week, I talked to Mary Ann Wright, managing director of the business accelerator at major battery maker Johnson Controls (they’re supplying lithium-ion packs to both the BMW and Mercedes-Benz hybrids), and heard about the “EV gap.” She said the industry worldwide has the capacity to produce four million cars, but the actual demand might be only two million.

Wright was among several witnesses at a Senate hearing last week asking the feds, specifically the Department of Energy, for help closing that gap — with one popular concept being the mass purchase of EVs for government fleets, which could include more than a million vehicles. It makes a lot of sense, particularly because fleet cars come back to central depots that make recharging a cinch.

Wright also told me that EV costs will come down with desperately needed volume. “Scale won’t get us all the way, but it is going to be a significant driver,” she said.

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Once a barrel of bourbon, now a rain barrel! Photo: Aaron’s Rain Barrels

As we sit through one of the stormiest, snowiest, wettest winters in recent memory, it’s easy to forget about the need to conserve water in hot summer months. But with many parts of the country experiencing multi-year droughts and already planning to ration water, just shutting off the faucet while brushing your teeth isn’t going to be enough!

If you’re dreading a brown lawn this June and July, or if you’re hoping to plant an organic garden to rival First Lady Michelle Obama’s at the White House, rain barrels might be the best and easiest solution for you.

Most barrels come equipped with an attached hose to make it easy to use the collected water, and a screen to keep out leaves and other debris. Many are also set up to make it easy to expand your water collection system with additional barrels. They range from basic to (surprisingly) appealing — some might even make your yard look better! Your choice of rain barrels includes:

Basic 54 Gallon Rain Catcher Barrel from Home Depot:
This is the functional choice: made of green plastic, sturdy, and the price is right at $139. It comes with an attachment system, if you want to expand to multiple barrels. It’s easy to use with an attached hose and a thumb valve to control the flow, as well as a safety grid and removable debris screen to protect your collected water.

The Chesapeake Rain Barrel for Rain Water Collection from Stacks and Stacks
Perhaps the most eco-friendly choice is the Chesapeake Rain Barrel. It’s made from real, 60 gallon, heavy duty plastic Greek shipping barrels, and named after the Chesapeake Bay,”the most endangered body of water in North America.” More sleekly designed and costing just slightly more (only $189), this is the next step up from the basic green plastic barrel.

Faux-ceramic Cascata Rain Water Collection and Storage System from Algreen
Perhaps your aesthetic runs to the “I don’t want anything that looks like a rain barrel in my yard” direction. In that case, the ceramic-looking Cascata Rain Water Collection and Storage System is right up your alley. The 65 gallon barrel is made of durable plastic, molded to look like a planter, complete with a removable crown plant holder. At $149.99, it’s also one of the more affordable choices.

Traditional Wooden Oak Whiskey Barrels from Aaron’s Rain Barrels and More
Looking for something a little more rustic? How about a reclaimed barrel that once held Kentucky bourbon? This sustainably chic choice has been featured on “Ask This Old House” and HGTV’s “I Want That”, but remember: You’re paying for form over function. At $350 a barrel, this is the choice for a well manicured yard, not a working farm that needs a dozen!

70 Gallon Square Wood Rain Barrel from Sam’s Club.
Craving the style of a wooden barrel in a more affordable form? Look no further than Sam’s club, for this square, plastic lined wooden barrel, made of from FSC certified sustainable forests. Okay, at $207.88, it’s not that much more affordable, but it does have a brass spigot!

Really, there are so many kinds of rain barrels on the market that it’s easy to find one that fulfills all of your needs — and if you’re really picky, you can even make your own!

Five Best Rain Barrels originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s official: I’ve become my grandmother. I realized it the other morning when I opened the door to our freezer.

That icy vault was packed to the brim. But — in the finest tradition of my Grandma Yeager — it wasn’t filled so much with leftovers, like you’d find in most household freezers. You see, my Grams had a few deep frozen secrets. She knew about weird stuff; weird stuff you can deep-six in the freezer and maybe save some money in the process.

* Candles: Keep your wax candles in the freezer and they’ll burn longer. It’s especially good for slim table tapers that normally burn very fast.

* Batteries: A number of studies have shown that storing batteries in the freezer helps them retain their charge longer. This is less true for alkaline batteries (freezing extends their shelf life by only about 5%) than it is for NiMH and Nicad batteries often used in electronics. Keeping NiMH batteries in the freezer can boost battery life by 90%.

* Plant Seeds: Many (but not all) types of plant seeds will keep longer and germinate more successfully when stored in the freezer. Consult a copy of Seed Storage of Horticultural Crops, by S.D. Doijode, for more than you’d ever want to know about this fascinating topic. Many of the planet’s most important seeds are being stored in the chilly “doomsday” seed vault in Norway.

* Cheap Booze: In the interest of full disclosure, my Grams was a teetotaler. Me, I need an attitude adjustment from time to time, and I’ve found that storing cheap booze — not just vodka, but all types of distilled spirits — in the freezer makes it taste smoother (and more expensive).

* Wine Cubes: Speaking of keeping alcohol in the freezer, when you have a little leftover wine from dinner, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it. “Wine cubes” are perfect to use in making stock and other cooking.

* Plastic Soda Bottles Filled with Water: Grandma knew that keeping her freezer chockfull helped to insulate it and perform better, and kept things cold longer if the electricity failed. I like to fill empty plastic soda bottles nearly full with water, and put them in the freezer to take up any vacant space. Plus they make convenient “drip-less ice cubes” to use instead of real ice cubes in my ice chest.

It’s official: I’ve become my grandmother. I realized it the other morning when I opened the door to our freezer.

That icy vault was packed to the brim. But — in the finest tradition of my Grandma Yeager — it wasn’t filled so much with leftovers, like you’d find in most household freezers. You see, my Grams had a few deep frozen secrets. She knew about weird stuff; weird stuff you can deep-six in the freezer and maybe save some money in the process.

* Candles: Keep your wax candles in the freezer and they’ll burn longer. It’s especially good for slim table tapers that normally burn very fast.

* Batteries: A number of studies have shown that storing batteries in the freezer helps them retain their charge longer. This is less true for alkaline batteries (freezing extends their shelf life by only about 5%) than it is for NiMH and Nicad batteries often used in electronics. Keeping NiMH batteries in the freezer can boost battery life by 90%.

* Plant Seeds: Many (but not all) types of plant seeds will keep longer and germinate more successfully when stored in the freezer. Consult a copy of Seed Storage of Horticultural Crops, by S.D. Doijode, for more than you’d ever want to know about this fascinating topic. Many of the planet’s most important seeds are being stored in the chilly “doomsday” seed vault in Norway.

* Cheap Booze: In the interest of full disclosure, my Grams was a teetotaler. Me, I need an attitude adjustment from time to time, and I’ve found that storing cheap booze — not just vodka, but all types of distilled spirits — in the freezer makes it taste smoother (and more expensive).

* Wine Cubes: Speaking of keeping alcohol in the freezer, when you have a little leftover wine from dinner, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it. “Wine cubes” are perfect to use in making stock and other cooking.

* Plastic Soda Bottles Filled with Water: Grandma knew that keeping her freezer chockfull helped to insulate it and perform better, and kept things cold longer if the electricity failed. I like to fill empty plastic soda bottles nearly full with water, and put them in the freezer to take up any vacant space. Plus they make convenient “drip-less ice cubes” to use instead of real ice cubes in my ice chest.

This new video from OK Go shows you an elaborate way to recycle your trash.