Why is it that consumers hold green brands to a higher standard than they do themselves?  

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3 Lessons on Fulfilling on a Green Brand Promise

SAYANI HALDER: Nader Khalili has introduced an affordable, efficient and safe earth bag construction which is being referred to as a ’super adobe’ style structure. The architect has focused on earth architecture by taking inspiration from ancient building techniques and from the mystic poet Rumi’s timeless principles and materials. Iranian Architect Nader Khalili Built Earth Buildings Fit for Space Picture Gallery Iranian Architect Nader Khalili Built Earth Buildings Fit for Space These homes perform well in seismic conditions. Khalili has received many awards from the Aga Khan Foundation, NASA, and the United Nations but this time he has taken a completely unique and unconventional path. The architect’s earth bag constructions are very simple to build as well as they can be made even with the most limited resources available because the only requirement is filling of bags with earth and laying them in a circular plan. The Aga Khan Foundation said these shelters serve as perfect examples of temporary housing made of extremely inexpensive materials and these also provide security in terms of high insulation during arid climates. The best part being that they don’t take much time to build. There is also a soothing news for people living in earthquake prone areas., as these earth bags stand strong during seismic conditions and also include beautiful arches and aesthetically pleasing domes. Technology has brought undeniable progress but Khalili’s low cost and low tech architecture is sustainable and appeals to a larger portion of the global population. Via: Green Prophet

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Iranian architect builds low cost earth buildings for the rural world

Fisker is recalling 239 Karma plug-in hybrid sports cars because of a high-voltage battery problem that could result in a fire. Originally posted at The Car Tech blog

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Fisker Karma recalled over battery fire risk

Judge rules that state’s landmark low-carbon fuel rules discriminate against out-of-state ethanol providers because they consider impact of transporting fuel to California. Originally posted at News – Politics and Law

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California EPA to appeal ruling that blocks low-carbon rules

Munmun Goswami: Have you ever thought how pure, the white occasion of Christmas would have been if everything were to be white as snow?! Well then, if you have not, come to the God’s Igloo, a huge Church built of nothing but snow at Mitterfirmiansreut. Its hugeness can be described by the fact that it is 65 feet tall and bags a record quantum of 49,000 cubic feet of snow. It is a total marvel that has attracted the attention of thousands of people around. And most remarkably, it has been named, quite appropriately, God’s Igloo. A warm welcome at church made from ice! The church has a capacity of 200, although the size of the population that came to visit the church at its inauguration was considerably huge. Well, the reason for the enchantment was not just the ice, it was the icy blue color that stole hearts away! Picture Gallery A warm welcome at church made from ice! It’s made up of some 49,000 cubic feet of snow. A surprising revelation is in pipeline. This is not the first time that an ice church is being constructed. One of the similar sorts had also come into existence way back in 1911. The motive of the construction was to express protest against the lack of any church construction in the same region. The local residents had to tread a distance of 90 minutes on foot to reach the nearest church, every Sunday morning, for their masses. This newer version of this marvel, however, does not mean to show any kind of revolution. The local people around just decided to remember their lost relatives and ancestors and pay homage to them. So rebuilding an already thought of and tested church structure would be the best idea to go for! Ask about the cost, it is a swirling €100,000. This antique beauty would be there for tourists to marvel at, till the springs this year. Summers are being feared to ruin the chilly beauty. But as far as you have taken a glance of it, you should be happy, because it would be a rare sight to see at many places on the earth. Via: Daily Mail

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God’s Igloo: Eco friendly Church made entirely of ice

The Fisker Karma features low-carbon interior leather from Bridge of Weir. The near $100,000 plug-in hybrid was named just “Luxury Car of the Year” by BBC Top Gear. Originally posted at The Car Tech blog

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Fisker Karma is so green, even interior uses low-carbon leather

With 2011 drawing to a close, we asked business leaders their thoughts on what will push the needle on sustainability in the coming year.

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What Will Be the Biggest Driver for Corporate Sustainability in 2012?

The worldwide movement toward sustainability has made significant progress over the past half-dozen years. Now, sustainable development is entering a new phase, and here are the trends to watch for in 2012.

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4 Sustainability Trends That Will Shape 2012

Even as Chevron’s liability for a November oil spill in Brazil reaches billions of dollars, the company still refuses to disclose to shareowners the risks associated with an $18 billion court judgment against it in Ecuador.

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Shareowners Press Chevron on Environmental Liabilities in Ecuador

Though the French Quarter and Bourbon Street are booming, as much as 40 percent of eastern New Orleans is vacant. Six years after Katrina, work continues to revive the community.

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How Green Building Can Bring New Orleans Back