Green News

New York City, NY—Just in time for the drop, there is an all-new ball for the New Year at Times Square New York. To make things even more festive, the new ball is also a “green” ball, as in earth friendly.

With light emitting-diode technology, or LED, the Times Square ball goes to the next level of illumination. Thousands packed the streets beneath the ball to watch the descent. Millions got in front of their television sets to view the spectacular globe shine in the New Year.

The history of the NYC ball dates back 101 years. The first drop was a ball with one hundred 25-watt bulbs. A century later, the ball is bigger than ever with thirty-two thousand LED lights. The LED technology makes the ball more versatile with color and design changes. The need for 20% less electricity to create the new ball’s New Year’s Eve glow spares the environment.

Something else new for the New Year…NYC will keep the ball on display 365 days now. It is one of the most requested sights by visitors to New York City, but usually stored away. In the New Year of 2009, the new “green” ball is out to stay.

Western Region—It is another attempt to revolutionize travel. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles have been around for some time. They are easier on the environment and travel about 300 miles on a tank of compressed natural gas, depending on the tank, of course.

Central CA—Green gifts are all around us this holiday season. The trick is to separate the faux-green from the real green. Green is not just a color; it is a way of life. It is that premise that has certain businesses on the map, Alviston.com for one.

Green News has located another green-based business; it is up and running for the green shopper… FreshandGreen.com. It is a site loaded with green gift ideas, but the most thoughtful gift may be free. A list of definitions to cut through all the green-speak from the eco-friendly frenzy.

GreenandFresh.com’s Eco-Standards page contains definitions from the green universe. Seemingly, like the developers of Alviston.com, GreenandFresh.com wants the green movement understandable for the “many,” so it decodes the terms created by the “few.” A helpful page, it enhances the green shopping experience completely on their website. FreshandGreen.com’s exceptional green gift selection is also well defined.

Central CA-Take a good look, it may seem like any other watch but it is not. No, this a solar-powered watch by Citizen from its Eco-Drive collection.  It’s a watch for the environment conscience person on your list. Like most renewable products, it saves money while sparing the planet.

The money-saving claim is that you should never have to buy a new battery. The green benefit is now you don’t have to worry about disposing the old spent (and potentially toxic) power source.

All one has to do is make sure the watch finds light from time to time and you should be good to go. Ordinary usage should be enough to keep the watch ticking, with good clean solar power.  There are claims that 3.5 hours of sunlight can power the watch for six months or better.

One solar watch seller is Ken Smith, owner of The Diamond Gallery in Fresno. Smith likes what he sees with the Eco-Drive line, but warns if you ever need the watch serviced be careful who you choose. It’s a solar-powered instrument. Those “unfamiliar” with the line might replace the special solar battery with an old variety and the whole renewable power concept is gone.

Citizen makes solar watches for both men and women with prices ranging from $150 and up depending on style.

Central CA-Look carefully at the pictures above…they are the plans of the first LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design)-approved public building in Central California.  What does that mean? Well, quite simply, it means that one school district is putting its green money into a “green building” that should become an environmental model for the future.

Clovis Unified School District is investing in the “green” movement in more ways than one. The school district is committed to building a “New Energy” building on the Buchanan High School campus to teach “green” values. Green News was first to report the commitment last month.

Not only will the new structure meet LEED standards, it will become a prime example of “green” construction. A green test tube of sorts.  Even the roof will be a learning tool for students interested in “green.”

Taking this route could require more time, effort and money.  But once the construction is complete, the returns to the school district (and quite literally the planet) could be vast.  Architects and green designers like Alvis Projects have developed a greener and cleaner structure inside and out.   Construction begins soon.