Monday, October 27, 2008

ElectriCar.com Launches Largest Global Online Network of Hybrid Limousines; Partners with CarbonFund.org to Off-Set Emissions

ElectriCar.com Funds Development of Patent-Pending Technology For Electric Car Remote Power Transmission

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ElectriCar.com, an online provider of environmentally-friendly transportation alternatives, today announced the launch of the largest global online network of chauffeur-driven hybrid vehicles. ElectriCar.com, a service of LimoRes.net, the leader in online transportation services, provides a global one-stop solution at www.ElectriCar.com for customers seeking green alternatives for transportation needs. In addition, ElectriCar.com also announced that it has partnered with CarbonFund.org, to which ElectriCar.com will contribute a percentage of each hybrid car service reservation for planting trees and aiding in the global offsetting of carbon emission.


ElectriCar.com is also funding the development of a patent-pending technology for remote power transmission to enable electric cars to travel more than the current industry limit of 40 miles on a single charge. The company will devote 5% of total revenue towards this research and development effort.

ElectriCar.com launches with more than 200 global affiliates, which will offer the largest network of hybrids and electrical cars.

“There is a global migration toward environmentally-friendly transportation and the use of hybrids is the first step in that direction. We are committed to providing customers with current and future generations of electrical cars worldwide,” said Alex Mashinsky, founder of ElectriCar.com. “Now that we have created a critical mass of green affiliates, we made it easy for anyone to find and price hybrid transportation services by applying our market-leading online aggregation and dispatch platform to the procurement of environmentally-friendly transportation alternatives.”

Visitors to ElectriCar.com can rent hybrids by model and car type, most of which are late-model luxury electrical hybrid cars equipped with Wi-Fi, XM Satellite Radio, and reading lights.

“As hybrids and electric cars become more available, the infrastructure for renting smart alternative vehicles online will become embedded in the overall marketing of green solutions,” said Michael Murphy, automotive industry researcher. “The ElectriCar.com portal is part of this movement, which is rapidly becoming part of mainstream purchases.”

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Sunday, October 19, 2008

Ruff Wear's New Eco-Sensitive Dog Gear is the Perfect Holiday Stocking Stuffer

Ruff Wear, the leading producer of high performance dog gear, offers a wide variety of eco-sensitive gifts and stocking stuffers for the holiday season. Finding a gift for our four-legged friends that is both practical and personal can be a challenge. Ruff Wear's new green line features recycled and renewable materials and they include everything our canine companions need for holiday fun.

"At Ruff Wear we are constantly inspired to find ways to improve our 'green' efforts. Whether by using recycled materials in our products or sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in our workplace, Ruff Wear is committed to finding new ways to minimize our impact on the environment. Our new line of eco-friendly products comes just in time for green holiday gift-giving"

Bend, Ore. (PRWEB) October 8, 2008 -- Ruff Wear, the leading producer of high performance dog gear, offers a wide variety of eco-sensitive gifts and stocking stuffers for the holiday season. Finding a gift for our four-legged friends that is both practical and personal can be a challenge. Ruff Wear's new green line features recycled and renewable materials and they include everything our canine companions need for holiday fun. More information about the new eco-sensitive line can be found here: RuffWear.com.

Today, dogs are considered members of the family and owners are increasingly bestowing gifts upon their canine companions. The American Pet Products Association, or APPA, estimates that Americans will spend $43.4 billion on their four-legged companions this year alone with 54 percent of dog owners purchasing holiday gifts for their dogs. With the growth of the green movement, consumers are bringing the broader value of green living to society and the world around them. Ruff Wear's green dog gear line helps minimize the impact on the environment and provides new options for eco-sensitive gifts this holiday season.

Whether you're last minute holiday shopping or looking for budget-friendly gifts - dogs on the go will enjoy the benefits of an eco-sensitive bed, toy, or bowl. And Ruff Wear's new green line provides a wide variety of eco-sensitive gear, from the TurnUp interactive dog toy, made of natural rubber from sustainable rubber tree plantations, to the Trail Runner collapsible bowl featuring recycled fabric and webbing. These eco-sensitive products were recently re-designed to incorporate sustainable materials and are available now at specialty retailers and at www.ruffwear.com.

"At Ruff Wear we are constantly inspired to find ways to improve our 'green' efforts. Whether by using recycled materials in our products or sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in our workplace, Ruff Wear is committed to finding new ways to minimize our impact on the environment. Our new line of eco-friendly products comes just in time for green holiday gift-giving," said Patrick Kruse, Ruff Wear's founder.

Ruff Wear's Holiday Guide - Give Dogs the Gift of Green this Holiday Season:
Below are gift ideas for your dog or a friend's dog. Some of Ruff Wear's gear requires accurate sizing so company experts recommend the following gift ideas and stocking stuffers. These specific items listed below do not have any sizing requirements.

Gifts for your own four-legged companion - Don't underestimate the benefits of eco-friendly stocking stuffers!
Activity: Whether in the car, at home, or on a camping trip, dogs deserve the comfort of the eco-sensitive Mt. Bachelor Pad. This portable and cozy dog bed features a recycled polyester fleece sleeping surface and PVC-free, recycled waterproof shell.
Ruff Wear Solution: The Mt. Bachelor Pad is a comfortable place for your dog to snooze.
MSRP is (M) $ 59.95 (L) $74.95

Activity: Coming home from work after a long day and looking for an interactive toy to engage your four-legged friend? The TurnUp is almost round and it bounces all around - left, right, up, and down.
Ruff Wear Solution: The re-designed TurnUp is made from natural latex rubber, a renewable and sustainable source - about the size of a tennis ball it's the perfect stocking stuffer.
MSRP is $9.95.

Giving a gift to a friend - gifts that are both practical and thoughtful while leaving less of an impact on the environment!
Activity: Your friend's dog is a fetching machine and you want to support the habit.
Ruff Wear Solution: The Gourdo is perfect for exercising and fun. The obsidian black Gourdo is made from 30% maximum reclaimed-rubber content, meaning rubber scraps are reblended to make more Gourdos!
MSRP is (S) $9.95; (L) $11.95.

Activity: Going mobile is your friend's mission. Friend and canine need a portable, waterproof bowl for when they're on the go.
Ruff Wear Solution: Ruff Wear collapsible bowls are made from a long-lasting and environmentally sensitive recycled polyester outer shell.

MSRPs Below:
Trail Runner - MSRP: $9.95
Go Between - MSRP: $14.95
Go Between Cinch Top - MSRP: $14.95
Quencher - MSRP: $19.95
Quencher Cinch Top - MSRP: $19.95

About Ruff Wear:
Ruff Wear's mission is to enhance the interactive bond between canines and their human guardians. Ruff Wear encourages an active lifestyle for everyone with a four-legged friend - stay fit, healthy and happy - whether it's 15 minutes of playtime, a day hike or multiday backcountry camping trips. Our gear For Dogs On the Go® combines performance, quality, fit, function and safety to meet the needs of active and adventurous canines and their companions. Based in Bend, Oregon, Ruff Wear sells their line through specialty pet and outdoor retailers as well as through www.ruffwear.com.

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Friday, October 17, 2008

"Going Green" from the Comfort of Your Own Home: Environmental Waste Solutions Offers Work-From-Home Opportunities for the Eco-Minded"

Environmental Waste Solutions (EWS) is offering a work-from-home business opportunity that makes "going green" that much greener for those seeking to work for themselves

Baton Rouge, LA (PRWEB) October 13, 2008 -- Environmental Waste Solutions (EWS) is offering a work-from-home business opportunity that makes "going green" that much greener for those seeking to work for themselves--from managing a business that protects the environment to earning a six-figure income that will secure a financial future. Eco-home based business opportunities such as that offered by EWS is a business that has proven to sustain itself through recessions and has continued to expand its affiliate base because of the growing need for more efficient waste management solutions.

EWS Affiliates around the country have benefited from this lucrative green business opportunity for the past 15 years, and the company is continuing to add new eco-minded people to their roster every quarter. "Living an environmentally-conscious lifestyle has become a new way in which our society now lives, from personal recycling to efficient corporate waste management. This presents many viable opportunities for our Affiliates to assist people with their trash removal needs," states Darwyn Williams, President and Founder "And when you consider that many people enjoy the benefits of working from home, making their own schedules, and having control over the growth of their own business, then the work-from-home business opportunity that we have been offering the eco-minded individual is a great option.

The EWS business model is simple, and the potential to succeed is guaranteed to those who are willing to recognize the lucrative home business opportunity that it offers. For 15 years, EWS affiliates are thriving financially while working from the comforts of their own home. There is no need for employees, and overhead costs are at a minimum, as all most affiliates require is a phone, computer, and a car. "With our work-from-home waste management consulting business, Affiliates can realize tremendous growth in a relatively short period of time," adds Williams. To start this home-based green business all that is required is a one-time initial investment and a short training period, further there are no royalties required, as there are with many other work from home opportunities.

EWS is now accepting inquiries from those eco-minded individuals who are interested in learning more about this green work from home opportunity. The corporate office can be reached at www.environmental-waste.com

ABOUT EWS

Established in 1994 by President and Founder, Darwyn Williams, Environmental Waste Solutions has had the opportunity to save millions of dollars for companies from coast to coast. EWS affiliates are trained to scrutinize the approach that companies take to waste and recycling, saving them money and earning EWS commissions on savings. We are proud to have established our company as one that can be depended on to offer clients a Win-Win approach to waste management--a concept that will come as a breath of fresh air to virtually every company in every industry.

Although Environmental Waste Solutions is headquartered in Baton Rouge and Florida, our affiliates are located across the United States and Canada--taking full advantage of the increasing demand for efficient waste management in virtually every market.

Environmental Waste Solutions is a member of the Solid Waste Association of America, the National Recycling Coalition, the National Business Opportunity Bureau and the Better Business Bureau.

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Wednesday, October 15, 2008

New Eco Friendly Car Rental Site Announces U.S. Launch

Vroom Vroom Vroom Drives Out of Beta and Into the U.S. Market, Offering Carbon Offsets for All Car Rentals

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vroom Vroom Vroom, an eco-conscious car rental site, announces its official U.S. launch, bringing stateside consumers fast, hassle-free and environmentally friendly car rental booking service. The new site enables customers to make reservations with all major rental car companies in more than 2,000 U.S. locations, including major airports, city centers, and smaller regional towns; and boasts the industry’s fastest interface (28.5 seconds to complete a reservation). Vroom Vroom Vroom is the first car rental site to provide carbon offset credits with each rental, at no cost to the customer. Renters get the benefit of no cancellation restrictions and a lowest price guarantee that offers $10 if a lower rate is found elsewhere. And one lucky renter each month will get their entire booking FREE. With no extra fees and Vroom Vroom Vroom picking up the tab on carbon offset credits for all car rentals, Vroom Vroom Vroom takes customer service and social responsibility as seriously as it takes its unconventional name.


An Australian-born brand with success in several countries including Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and Canada, Vroom Vroom Vroom has established its U.S. headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada. The U.S. platform has been three years in the making, but Vroom Vroom Vroom didn’t spend that time buried ‘down under’—they were developing technology and building relationships to offer real-time pricing and direct connections to key car rental providers, giving American consumers a new choice for renting with ease.

Peter Thornton, CEO of Vroom Vroom Vroom, wants to be known as a “company with a conscience.” Thornton says, “We want people to choose Vroom Vroom Vroom not just because we have the lowest rates, fastest tools and highest level of service, but because we understand their needs and share their values.”

VroomVroomVroom.com offers more than the expected online rental options (price comparisons and vehicle selections like luxury cars, SUVs and convertibles). The site has a “Geek Travel Guide”—a list of 25 Web apps for road-trip planning including maps, travel search engines, resources for business travel, and tools for finding parking lots, radio stations and the best gas prices. The site also has travel guides for major U.S. and international cities and “accidental tourist” tips—sightseeing ideas for anyone who finds themselves with extra time in a new place.

Future expansion is already in the works—look for new site features, green programs and additional content in the upcoming months.

About Vroom Vroom Vroom Car Rentals

Vroom Vroom Vroom believes drivers deserve a car rental booking service that thinks and acts like a customer. Adding a breath of fresh air to the car rental process, Vroom Vroom Vroom prides itself as a company with a conscience, offsetting carbon emissions for every car rented through the site, at no cost to the customer. An Australian-born company launched ‘down under’ in 2002, Vroom Vroom Vroom maintains services and operations in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K.

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Green Architecture - Boring or Beautiful?

One Asheville, NC architectural design firm is changing the mindset of a generation.

Asheville, NC (PRWEB) October 2, 2008 -- There has been a disconnect between beauty and green in the minds of many. That is, there was a belief that if an architectural element was green and environmentally friendly, it was also lackluster in the looks department.

Today, Carlton Architecture is changing the public perception that green means less than beautiful. Yes, green architecture can be beautiful architecture. It can be modern and cutting edge, as well as sustainable and friendly to Earth.


It's in this vein that Carlton Architecture operates. The firm works with design principles that are rooted in environmental awareness.

"Green" has become one of the most popular buzz words of the day, but green is so much more than a buzz word when it comes to designing custom homes that are green in every way. Carlton Architecture is raising the bar in green architecture. Every home that they design is a completely "green" home - not only the building's interior and exterior, but the home is designed to be in complete harmony with its natural surroundings.

Although most of us think about our cars when we consider our contributions to global warming, we often forget about our homes and other buildings. But according to the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Government, buildings are responsible for almost 50 percent of the greenhouse gasses emitted and consume over 75 percent of the total electricity generated in the United States.

It stands to reason, then, that we should focus as much - if not more - energy on creating homes that are greener, and make use of sustainable materials.

Carlton Architecture's designs make beauty and usefulness out of natural materials like stone, brick, and timber. Utilizing the services of local artisans ensures that the local economy benefits as well.

Carlton Architecture is proud of the beautiful, warm and green custom residences they have created. To learn more, visit their web site: http://www.carltonarchitecture.com

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Monday, October 13, 2008

McCain, Obama and Alternative Energy to Dominate Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition

Prestigious event in McCain’s home state a week before the election to connect leading scientists, researchers, buyers and manufacturers with energy consumers

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Views of John McCain and Barack Obama on fuel cells as alternative energy (source: Fuel Cells 2000) to help mitigate the effects of global warming will capture attention during the 32nd Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition, October 27-30 at the Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix.


Some 2,000 scientists, researchers, business buyers, manufacturers and interested consumers are expected to attend the annual event. The FCS&E is one of the world’s largest gatherings focusing on current and potential uses of fuel cells such as hydrogen-powered cars, buses, motorcycles, industrial forklifts, emergency equipment, providing power in remote locations and future residential applications.

Valerie Browning, ValTech Solutions, LLC, and 2008 technical program chair says “Energy and the economy dominate the discussion right now. With the election coming only a week after our event, it’s important that our attendees understand and discuss positions of the two major candidates for president on alternative energy including fuel cells.” According to Browning, FCS&E planners anticipate animated discussions in Senator McCain’s home state on his views and those of Senator Obama on wider use of smart fuel cell applications. (source: Fuel Cells 2000).

Open to Buyers, Interested Consumers

Fuel Cells for a Greener World is the conference theme and it includes sessions drawing international participation. The FCS&E will feature technical presentations on worldwide fuel cell development and encourage dialogue among participants on the growing variety of fuel cells currently on the market. Interested consumers can visit the convention, register and gain free admission to the exhibit hall. The Exposition offers three events open to all attendees:

* “Ride & Drive” where licensed motorists on October 29-30 can take the wheel and test drive the latest examples of environmentally friendly vehicles powered by fuel cells. At Ride & Drive, sponsored in part by the California Fuel Cell Partnership, drivers will be able to see, touch and feel how green energy is being used in transportation applications. Featured vehicles include Daimler F-Cell, Chevy Equinox, Honda Clarity, Toyota FCHV and the Hyundai Tucson. A test drive course will be located outside the convention center. Registered participants also can speak with representatives from car manufacturers to learn more about current uses and the next generation of products.

* “Demo World” where attendees can get a first-hand look at how fuel cells are being used every day in homes and by businesses. Demonstrations will be provided by participating exhibitors.

* “Educators Day” on Wednesday, October 29, where Arizona’s elementary and high school teachers along with college and vocational instructors are invited to attend the FSC&E to learn about current and potential fuel cell applications.

“This year’s gathering has an ever-increasing focus on education and outreach to the general public and the fuel cell end user community,” adds Browning. “Talk is being replaced by action and exciting uses. Our educational sessions will show how fuel cells are an environmentally friendly energy source. Exhibit hall demonstrations will focus on how fuel cells are an environmentally responsible solution to meet the worldwide demand for clean energy. The time has never been better for consumers and businesses to invest in and accelerate fuel cell applications worldwide.”

The Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition is the largest technical conference of its kind. The conference attracts over 2,000 attendees annually and offers the largest number of technical papers, the most exhibits and the best coverage of the latest technical advances and research in the field. International participants include technical leaders, scientists, educators, researchers, developers, inventors, students and manufacturers of fuel cell products. Technical sessions focus in four main areas: utility, residential, vehicle and portable. Challenges in costs, fuels, storage, reliability, lifetime and adoptability are also covered. FCS&E attendees, sponsors and exhibitors represent the latest in leading research and development--both domestically and abroad. The 2008 FCS&E is continuing its mission to educate and inform not only conference attendees but also interested consumers on fuel cell-related technical and commercial developments.

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Wednesday, October 1, 2008

IT Managers Who Aim to Save Money Also End Up Saving the Environment

Logicalis Survey Finds IT Managers Are Accidental Environmentalists as 86% Are More Likely To Make Decisions To Save Money Than the Environment

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) September 22, 2008 -- A recent survey performed by Logicalis (www.us.logicalis.com), a global provider of high-performance technology, revealed that 86% of IT managers are more likely to make decisions to save money than to benefit the environment. Fortunately for Mother Nature, the survey also revealed that the steps companies are taking to trim IT budgets are also making their data centers more environmentally sustainable.


Today's tight economy makes some IT managers reluctant to embrace the green cause. They are more motivated to save money than to invest in sustainability. According to the survey, however, IT managers are saving the environment in the course of those actions by reducing power use, and making better use of existing servers in the data center. Nearly 88% of respondents have already, or have plans to use virtualization technologies in their data centers in the next 12 months. In addition, about 85% of respondents have already, or have plans to consolidate and reduce the number of servers in their data centers in the next year.

"These are tough economic times for many companies, and IT managers are under pressure to reduce costs," said Eric Linxweiler, Senior Vice President of Solution Services at Logicalis. "Recent industry reports predict that IT spending growth will drop and that pricing pressure on vendors will worsen. At Logicalis we are seeing more and more smart IT managers saving money now by using the resources they have more effectively."

Some money-saving and green practices for the data center are more established than others. According to IDC, for instance, server virtualization is now considered a mainstream technology among IT buyers. Virtualized environments allow workloads to be transferred to a smaller number of servers when possible so the unused servers can be powered down, saving money and reducing the servers' environmental impact. Nearly 88% of the IT managers surveyed by Logicalis say they have plans to employ virtualization technologies in their data centers within the next 12 months, if they haven't already done so.

Companies are also saving money and the environment by eliminating or redeploying underutilized data center servers and storage devices. Some recent estimates indicate that almost a third of servers deployed today are doing almost nothing except consuming energy. Improved technologies are allowing data centers to use less physical space to do more work, cutting down on the number, and environmental impact, of data centers. The Logicalis survey showed that 30% of respondents had eliminated or redeployed more than 25% of the servers in their data centers. About 18% had eliminated or redeployed more than a quarter of the storage devices in their data centers.

As an indication of the cost and environmental benefits of server consolidation, one Logicalis client saw power cost savings of $82,216 in the first year. A ten-year projection, assuming a sustained pattern of data center growth, would yield a $1,320,197 power cost savings. This is equivalent to 29,487 barrels of oil saved over a ten-year period, or 21,573,949 pounds of CO2 emissions reduced over a ten year period.

Cooling is one of the largest energy drains associated with the data center. There are numerous techniques for upgrading the data center cooling system, a practice that the survey found only a third of the respondents had performed or planned to perform within the next 12 months. Employing techniques that increase the effectiveness of cooling systems can save companies money in power costs and loads of carbon emissions.

Worldwide, IT produces 600 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year; the same as the annual CO2 output from almost 320 million small cars. According to IDC, one-third of customers already consider it "important" to "very important" that IT suppliers have green offerings. As more and more businesses are discovering, however, employing green practices and reducing costs in the data center are not mutually exclusive. Logicalis is helping businesses learn how they can save money through practices such as virtualization, consolidation and other practices that reduce environmental impact and carbon outputs.

Logicalis recently published a feature story including more information about green IT practices and how they can be implemented for companies that want to save some money, available for download at www.us.logicalis.com/greenit. The company also offers an online IT Carbon & Power Consumption Calculator, at http://www.us.logicalis.com/green to help companies gauge the potential benefits of various data center strategies.

About Logicalis
Logicalis is a global provider of high-performance technology solutions. With over 1,500 people worldwide, Logicalis delivers smart solutions based on specific needs, not the latest IT trend. Logicalis provides options, direction and support to more than 6,500 corporate and public sector customers. The company attributes its success to the everyday positive experiences with its customers and strategic partners such as IBM, HP, and Cisco.

Logicalis has annualized revenues in excess of $1 billion, from operations in the UK, US, Germany and Latin America. Logicalis is a division of Datatec Limited (LSE/JSE:DTC), a $4 billion multi-national organization listed on the AIM market of the LSE and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. With over 30 offices in the United States, the company's U.S. headquarters are in Bloomfield Hills, MI. For more information about the Logicalis experience, visit www.us.logicalis.com.

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