“Fay Tai sorts through ginseng root at Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises north of Wausau in this 2004 photo.” Image and caption credit: Gary Porter, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel The USA doesn’t legally export much high-value product to China. Some high tech stuff for aerospace and defense and some software; but that’s about it. I bet if US citizens could legally farm or clone Tiger bone bits, or Bear gall bladder and sell them into China they would, because China has an endless supply of people who will buy that crap thinking it will give them personal… Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Extreme Spring Weather Kills Valuable US Ginseng Crop For Chinese Export

Bringing an architecture classic home (Images: Rehab Vintage) Here’s repurposed office furniture that architects and industrial-style aficionados alike will surely appreciate (a repurposed trope , anyone?): a coffee table by Los Angeles-based REHAB Vintage made from an old flat file – a set of steel drawers used to store full-size architectural drawings that can still be found in some offices – now rescued for the limelight of the living room. … Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Architect’s Flat File Reincarnates As Coffee Table: REHAB Vintage Furniture

You don’t have to wait until late summer when the basil plants are huge to make pesto . You can make pesto out all kinds of vegetables. I still had lots of asparagus left over from my pickling , and pesto seemed like the perfect solution. I had centre pieces, but no asparagus tips and with pesto, that doesn’t matter at all…. Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Weekday Vegetarian: Beyond Basil – Making Asparagus Pesto

The golden jackal is used in parts of India and Vietnam to treat asthma, arthritis, and paralysis. Photo by Paul Mannix via Flickr. In some cultures, if a child gets chicken pox, his mother doesn’t cook up a big pot of soup to make him feel better — she feeds him wolf parts to treat the illness. Such traditional medicinal practices , known to threaten primate species as well as

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Canid ‘Cures’ Threaten World’s Wild Dog Populations

Beach-going with kids is a ton of fun, but it also takes a great deal of preparation and a lot of schlepping to get all of the necessary gear packed and toted to hit the waves with little ones. Summer is around the corner, and it’s time to get all of the green essentials lined-up so you and your kids can leave small footprints in the sand. Here’s a list of ten items that will help streamline your seaside excursion! Badger Sunscreen I personally use Badger SPF 30 sunscreen on my two-year-old, and in my opinion it’s the best sunscreen on the market. It contains certified organic, all natural ingredients, is safe for kids of all ages, and blocks both UVA and UVB rays. It goes on smooth, (requires some rubbing in), and my outdoor loving toddler has never had a sunburn as we use Badger all summer long. It’s $16 for a 2.9 oz tube. Kate Quinn Organics Sun Hat Even with sunscreen slathered on, the more you can get your child to wear a sun hat to shield against the sun, the better. This adorable Kate Quinn Organics sun hat is made with 100 percent organic French terry, provides great coverage and comes in a variety of colors and sizes for boys and girls of all ages. Priced at $18. Bummies Swimmi Diapers Ditch the disposable swim diapers and opt for eco-friendly Bummies Swimmi Diapers , which come in a plethora of cute patterns. These swim diapers are reusable, comfortable, and fit babies from 9-30 pounds. Bummies swim diapers cost around $15 per pair. Green Toys Sand Play Set Kids love playing in the sand and building castles, so equip your little architects with this Sand Play Set from Green Toys . Made from 100 percent recycled materials, the set includes a bucket, shovel, rake and sand castle mold. Directions on how to dig your way to China, not included. Priced at $19.99. Organic Polka Dot Beach Dress This sweet little 100 percent organic cotton polka dot beach dress ($38) will make your little girl the belle of the beach. It is lightweight, and soft and fluffy on the inside, so kids won’t overheat, and they’ll easily dry off after slipping it on. It also has a hood lined with interlock cotton to keep little noggins protected from the sun. Recycled Board Short It will be easy to spot your small surfer in these bright and colorful board shorts ($42). Made from 43 percent recycled polyester and featuring a mesh interior liner, little dudes will be doing their part to be green while riding the waves. Kate Quinn Organics Terry Bikini It is itsy-bitsy, and teenie-weenie, but it’s not a yellow polka dot bikini. Kate Quinn organics terry bikini ($36) is a grape and rose hued two-piece little number sized for babies 3-6 months to girls size 3T. It is made from 100 percent organic French terry cotton and has a halter tie at the top and bottom of the bikini top. Kid Kanteen Sippy Cup Keep kids well hydrated at the beach and anytime you’re on the go this summer with a Kid Kanteen sippy cup from Klean Kanteen. These cheery, perfectly sized for small hands reusable bottles are BPA-free, and totally non-toxic. Made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, they have no questionable plastic, epoxy or aluminum liner to worry about. The Avent sippy cup spout is also BPA-free and enables kids to drink without worry of spills or messes. They are $17.95 for a 12 oz size. Wide Insulated Klean Kanteen (for parents!) Klean Kanteen’s new wide insulated stainless steel bottle will be every green parent’s new best friend. It’s double-walled construction and vacuum insulation keeps iced drinks cold for up to 24 hours , and hot drinks cold for up to 6 hours . No more having to toss a full mug of the freezing cold coffee or tea you got sidetracked from into the sink! Filler up with Klean Kanteen insulated and drink at your leisure. This bottle is perfect for beach jaunts because it will keep your drink refreshing and ice cold all day long. $22.95-$27.95 Organic cotton/bamboo beach towels Let your kids wrap up a long day at the beach in a nice and soft organic cotton/bamboo super-sized beach towel . These vibrant towels feature festive Hawaii style floral patterns and are the perfect topper to a day at the shore. Priced at $39. Image: Stevie Lee , Green Toys , Klean Kanteen

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10 Essential Green Items for Beach-Going Kids & Babies

The Pep Boys, a national automotive aftermarket and service chain, has agreed to pay $5 million in civil penalties for violating the Clean Air Act by importing and selling motorcycles, recreational vehicles and generators manufactured in China that don’t meet environmental requirements, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Justice Department . As part of the agreement, Pep Boys is required to export or destroy over 1,300 non-compliant vehicles and engines, and to mitigate the adverse environmental effects of equipment already sold to consumers. The EPA estimates the environmental impact at 620 tons of excess hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions, and more than 6,520 tons of excess carbon monoxide emissions. The settlement also requires Pep Boys to implement projects to offset the excess emissions. The company also agreed to offer a free extended emission warranty on certain vehicle and engine models, to reimburse consumers for emission-related repair expenses, and to implement corporate compliance plans. The EPA says this is the largest vehicle and engine importation case to date under the Clean Air Act in terms of number of vehicles and engines imported and penalty paid. The complaint alleges that Pep Boys and Baja, which supplied the non-compliant vehicles to Pep Boys, imported and sold at least 241,000 illegal vehicles and engines from 2004 through 2009. Baja agreed to pay a penalty of $25,000. Cummins also recently agreed to pay a $2.1 million penalty and recall 405 engines after a settlement was reached over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.

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Pep Boys to Pay $5 million for Air Pollution Violations

I am always on the lookout for cool t-shirts. So when I saw the Des Artistes collection for the first time recently on ecouterre , I almost flipped out. An eco-conscious label out of Germany, Des Artistes introduces works from emerging and notable contemporary artists and says on their site that “Every limited edition tee is a canvas for inspiration and an exhibition of the human spirit.” I believe it. Charles Anderson’s “Chocolate Factory” makes you consider your relationship with art. Just look at illustrator Kera Till’s “Abeba” and the more provocative “Brain Inflation” by one of China’s most widely known contemporary artists, Ai Weiwei. The “Inflation” is of the artist’s actual brain hemorrhage resulting from a run with some police brutality last year. “Abeba” “Chocolate Factory” “Brain Inflation” And best of all, these limited edition tees go to benefit Doctors Without Borders . They are limited so how do you get one? Looks like you just follow the contact link and shoot them an email. Hopefully with the designer being represented currently in D&A’s Green Room , they’ll get some accounts in your area.

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Des Artistes T-Shirts Combine Art with Fashion

Eco Factor: Sustainable farm ship concept equipped with solar and wind energy generators. China’s shipbuilding ability has represented its power throughout history and the China Shipping Pavilion at this year’s Shanghai Expo is showcasing some major improvements in the country’s shipbuilding industry along with a new concept for the future – a floating farm ship. Themed as “Better Shipping, Better City”, the model of the farm ship measures about one meter in length and features green vegetables, wind power generators and solar panels. Moreover, between the fore and the stern, people can see groups of hens eating on grass. The real ship will be about 330 meters long and 60 meters wide and will be able to perform a variety of functions, including food production, water desalination, poultry rising and renewable energy generation. The zero-emission ship will include recycled materials and all the energy it needs will be supplied by onboard renewable energy generators. Via: CRI

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China Shipping Pavilion showcases floating farm ship

In an effort to help ease China’s energy shortage and put tons of biowaste to good use, a 250,000-head cow farm in north eastern China will use animal dung to power four GE Jenbacher biogas engines and produce an estimated 38,000 MWh a year.  

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GE Puts a Quarter-Million Cows to Work in Chinese Biogas Plant

Eco Factor: Zero-emission vehicles powered by electricity. Chinese automaker IAT Auto , which introduced the Wufeng concept vehicle back in 2006, is back in Beijing this year with three new zero-emission vehicles that have been inspired by Chinese tradition and culture. The three new rides include the Zhu Feng, the eTaxi and the Wufeng II. The Zhu Feng (Bamboo Wind) has a top speed of 145kph and has an all-electric range of about 160km. The eTaxi is more like a standard sedan, with swappable battery configuration that can be replaced in about 90 seconds. The recharge time is about 8 hours with an 80 percent recharge time of 30 minutes. The Wufeng II is an updated version of the vehicle that was showcased in 2006 and features a meaner and sportier look with gullwing doors. The Wufeng II has a top speed of 200kph and can go from 0-100kph in just 7 seconds. Via: China Car Times / Car Design

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IAT Auto unveils fleet of electric vehicles at Beijing Auto Show