Using Paper to Tell Time

  
     Emma Grady discovered the making of the first biodegradable watch on TreeHugger! How are these watches composed? These watches are similar to the material of the bands you receive at concerts; the fine paper material. Altanus Patch Timepiece has created the first biodegradable paper watch.
    The 11 gram (.3 oz) watches will definitely be the trend of the season. Each watch is unique in design and offered in neon colors of your choice. It's hard to imagine after viewing pictures of these watches how any two are alike! Yes, these watches are paper, but don't worry, they are waterproof!
               After seeing these watches, I wondered how these watches function by being composed of paper. So, I went on a greater search to find the answer. I went on Altanus website to see if they had any information as to how these watches work. The website is all in french, so i went on a further search to see how everything is done.
           What I found was that it uses a LED display and the watch is protected with a waterproof and tear coating. The design was influenced by papier-mâché  floats at the annual carnival festival in Viareggio, Tuscandy. To create these fashion watches, it took four years of research and development.
      Currently, these watches are sold in England, but it won't be long until they will soon be seen in the United States. To purchase one of these watches, it will cost you $33.50 in American currency. What cooler way to show off the latest eco friendly fashion trend than to support Altanus Patch Watch?

Should the White House be called the Green House?

  Ecogeek recently posted a blog titled "Solar Power Coming to the White House in 2011," talking about the White House installing solar panels. I find it ironic that a group of college students were turned down by the White House security, as they were insisting to put the Carter-era solar panels back onto the White House.  After discussion, the Obama administration decided to go back to using solar panels, but by installing new ones.
            
  Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, stated:
"President Obama has said the Federal Government has to lead by example in creating opportunity and jobs in clean energy.  By installing solar panels on arguably the most famous house in the country, his residence, the President is underscoring that commitment to lead and the promise and importance of renewable energy in the United States."

    Nancy has a good point when she says the Federal Government has to lead by example. Obama talks about the environmental issues and has ways to address them and fix them, however, he himself isn't doing anything about it. By installing solar panels, it will save a huge amount of energy--especially for the white house.Though, there is no exact number of kilowatts, but it is said to be a pretty good amount. Right now, the DOE is asking companies to submit proposals for the solar panel contract. No one is sure yet as to will be responsible for the installations, so we will have to wait a bit until further information is released.

   The White House will use the solar panels to generate a hot water system as well as home to a solar PV system. This will all take place by Spring 2011.

    Like Megan Treacy, author of this article, I too feel that installing solar panels in the white house is the best thing Obama can do at this point. His personal leadership may be able to spread across the nation and soon renewable energy will be used all throughout. Maybe Obama should have thought about the pro's of installing solar panels before he pushed away a crowd of college students protesting. 

    Solar panels can be a really good addition onto your home. You may ask yourself why would you even want to heat your house with solar panels, why not just flip a switch? Below are some pros:

• No pollution
• Saves you money (no gasoline expenses)
• Government offers Tax Breaks
• Silent (no noise)
• Maintenance free

Obviously, Obama didn't just come to the decision to install solar panels due to a group of college students. The students' ideas were an example of population pressures and consumption trends contributing to environmental problems. Obama formed curiosity to the rising problem of renewable energy, and was skeptical whether it will work or not. Since they were used in the past, Obama will use prior knowledge and hopefully this installation will be a success.