Samantha Tackeff | greenUPGRADER

Project Surya: Solar Cookers to Change the World

by Samantha Tackeff on October 28th, 2008

Veerabhadran (Ram) Ramanathan, a professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California San Diego, is looking to reduce global green house gas emissions while promoting the development of the world’s poor. Ramanathan has come up with Project Surya a concept project that would address the challenge of mitigating global warming by introducing clean-cooking [...]

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Posted in Concept+Design 15 Comments

Forced to wear shoes? Consider Vibram Five Fingers.

by Samantha Tackeff on October 17th, 2008

As a child, I spent most of my summers avoiding shoes like the plague, and still feel stifled if I’m forced to wear a sock. There is something so exhilarating to feeling the earth underneath you (until that is you have to walk in a public place or step on a bottle cap or a [...]

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Posted in Clothes+Accessories, Gear+Gadgets 9 Comments

Blog Action Day: Poverty and the Environment

by Samantha Tackeff on October 15th, 2008

Today is Blog Action Day! Today bloggers unite to raise awareness about one issue: poverty. Globally, poverty is inextricably linked with the environment. There are many green things you can do combat poverty by considering the environment as well. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but five quick ways to get started.

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Posted in Gear+Gadgets 13 Comments

Reclaimed Wood Vase

by Samantha Tackeff on October 13th, 2008

When decorating my own home, I look out specifically for creative and unique pieces that incorporate sustainable design (and won’t cost me a fortune). This tree stump vase is hand-carved from reclaimed wood. The simple, elegant design brings nature back into the home in this functional vessel. It can be found at Takashimaya, the upscale [...]

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Posted in Home+Decor 3 Comments

(Monday) Funnies: Send an e-card

by Samantha Tackeff on October 6th, 2008

Fed up with reading about the current news? Take a moment to send a humorous e-card to your friends. The added bonus: e-cards are a great way to show people you care, without creating paper waste. Get this polar bear card, or check out the whole line of witty cards at someecards for any occasion.

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Posted in Gear+Gadgets, Sunday Funnies 0 Comments

Nature Inspired USB Sticks

by Samantha Tackeff on October 4th, 2008

Studio OOOMS, a quirky design firm from the Netherlands has come up with a way to bring nature back into the office with their Wooden USB stick. At just over a hundred dollars, they aren’t cheap, but consider it a functional piece of art. They can be found here in the U.S. at the Cooper [...]

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Posted in Gear+Gadgets, Office+Business 5 Comments

Tempting Eve…Again.

by Samantha Tackeff on October 2nd, 2008

It’s still apple season on the east coast! Take advantage of this wonderful time of year and go apple picking this weekend! Many local orchards have ‘Pick Your Own’ hours, a wonderful opportunity for a family field trip. Supporting local orchards is a benefit to your community, and it also protects the varietals of apples [...]

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Posted in Food+Drink 0 Comments

Bag Another Day: The Best Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags

by Samantha Tackeff on October 1st, 2008

Switching over to reusable bags is a necessary change that we should all be making both a habit and a rule. Unfortunately, at times many people still find themselves with some extra plastic bags on their hands when they forget their reusables or from an unplanned shopping trip. Instead of guiltily throwing them out (Yes! [...]

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Posted in Bags+Briefcases, DIY 6 Comments

Pre-fab 101: Green Field Trip to the MOMA

by Samantha Tackeff on September 26th, 2008

If you happen to be any where near New York City in the next few weeks, be sure to check out Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling at the MOMA before it closes on October 20th. Prefabricated building is a great option for those interested in a more sustainable home. Prefab integrates green concepts, architectural [...]

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Posted in Architecture 5 Comments

Green On The Go: The Bento Lunch

by Samantha Tackeff on September 22nd, 2008

Bento is the term for the Japanese lunch box, and is essentially the art of packing a really great lunch in small portable and reusable containers that is both practical for the environment, the wallet, the waist and aesthetically pleasing to boot.

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Posted in DIY, Food+Drink 6 Comments