Articles by Sarah K. Burkhalter

In New Mexico, natch

Today's Dig This spotlights Earthship Biotecture,which has two websites with virtually the same information, laid out different ways. It's just one of the many quirks of the Taos, N.M.-based organization, which makes cool eco-houses and is located a mere seven hours from Roswell. I'm just saying.

The basic Earthship home prototype is made of recycled tires, packed with earth to the point of being "virtually indestructible." But they don't have to be made of tires -- in England they're made of tyres. Ha. Um, but really, each is custom made and tuned to the buyers' climate. Result? They "heat and cool themselves naturally via solar/thermal dynamics," to the point of being so energy efficient that residents don't have to pay any utility bills.

A guessing game!

I love contests.

Today's exciting game: find the theme in today's Daily Grist headlines.

First one to post a correct answer gets a virtual high-five!

Two eco-events upcoming in NYC

Hey, New York -- what are you doing on Tuesday night? February 28 is Fat Tuesday, and Grist is throwing a phat party in NYC. All Grist readers -- and people who wanna have a good time, but really those are one and the same -- are invited to Mardi Grist to rub elbows with a pack of Grist representatives and eat yummy food. A quarter of the proceeds will go to NOLA-area green groups. What's not to love? RSVP today!

Auto news from Ithe land o’ luck

A spiffy old car takeback program is being launched in Ireland.

The proverbial land o' luck plans to institute the End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) directive in 2007. Hee hee, elves. Hee hee, leprechauns. Um, anyway ... the first draft of regulations were revealed today. Hot off the presses! Lucky you! Hee hee, lucky ...

Under the regulations -- "a kind of car equivalent to the WEEE directive" -- each automobile importer or manufacturer would have to establish an authorised treatment facility (ATF) in every Irish county that consumers could bring their cars to for scrapping. These sites would be required to meet high environmental standards, remove pollutants in the dismantling process, and recover at least 85 percent of car material. If they don't, they could face big fines and prison time.

"The main effect of these draft regulations will be that when a person has a car or small van that has reached the end of it's useful life, there will be at least one facility available in their county or city where they can bring the vehicle in the knowledge that it will be depolluted and dismantled to a high standard," said Environment Minister Dick Roche.

Sweet.