Rubber Sidewalks: Good and Green?

From HUGG: "Washington, DC, is experimenting with sidewalks made out of rubber. The benefits of this are two-fold. First, tree roots grow where they should - down. Second, the sidewalks are made from recycled tires, keeping them out of the landfills. The sidewalks last about three times as long as the concrete variety, reducing the need for constant maintenance. Everyone comes up a winner!"

Let's hope. I've used rubber sidewalks elsewhere and they also seem easier on the feet. But I have a hard time believing they're more durable than concrete. In any case, a great way to recycle and, if they really do discourage root disruption, keep landscaping healthy as well!

-- Paul Andrews, GreenforGood

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Hey Google, How About This: Do No Green Evil!

The real problem with Google founders in this story about squabbles over outfitting a huge corporate airliner isn't the wretched excess of billionaire hissy fits, it's that they shouldn't have a corporate jet to begin with.

Google's motto, "Do No Evil," ought to apply to the earth's health and future as well, don't you think? The use of fossil fuels and carbonization of the atmosphere, much worse by planes because of their closer proximity to the ozone layer and higher per-person pollutant levels, is what you call real evil.

Why, guys, why?

-- Paul Andrews, GreenforGood

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At Wal-Mart, Talk Is Cheap...Always

So Wal-Mart has invited Al Gore to speak about global warming:

"The conference is an outgrowth of Wal-Mart’s mission, outlined by Chief Executive Lee Scott last November, to minimize its negative impact on the environment."

I'll concede that talking with the right folks (including Amory Lovins and the Rocky Mountain Institute) is a great PR and symbolic move, but I'll say it again: For Wal-Mart to Wal(k) the talk, it's going to have to change the way it does business, not just the way it thinks. And that's a lot harder than sitting down for a slide show from a former vice president. Good luck, Wally!

-- Paul Andrews, GreenforGood

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