In her attempts to do as her blog name suggests, the GreenDweller has examined ways to reduce the environmental impact of taking a long, hot shower. It turns out that reducing the temperature of your shower by as little as 10 degrees can save a significant amount of carbon. If you're not a believer, read her assessment for proof.

I’m the kind of person that fights off the cold morning chill with a scalding hot shower.  However, I’ve learned that taking showers that are too hot actually cause your skin to be dryer and less healthy.  In addition, although shower length is generally how carbon output is reduced, shower temperature also effects the amount of energy needed.  So by dropping my shower temperature a few degrees I can not only help reduce my carbon output, but improve the health of my skin.  Tricks like this, which improve quality of life while helping the environment, are my favorite kind of green living.

So how much can we save?  My residence hall shower isn’t new in the least, so I can safely assume that a 10 minute shower uses about 25 gallons (200lbs) of water.  Heating it to scalding, about 120 F, from 60 F takes 12000 BTU.  But heating the same amount of water to just 110 F uses only 10000 BTU.

(200lb)(120-60)=12,000 BTU       (200lb)(110-60)=10,000 BTU     12,000-10,000=2,000 BTU

That difference of 2000 BTU is equivalent to .586 kWh a day.   As my university uses coal power, it means 1.227 lbs less carbon released each day.  Over a year, that’s 447.86 lbs of carbon.  Putting this in perspective, with the energy and carbon savings you could instead keep 5 10w CFLs (40w equivalent) on for 10 hours a day.  All for giving up just 10 extra degrees of heat in my shower, ones I likely won’t even notice.

Now this is just one specific way to reduce the carbon impact of your shower.  As I live in a residence hall it’s really the only aspect I can control, besides with the length of my showers.  If I were to reduce that time by even a minute, that’s an extra .36 lbs of carbon saved per day.  But if you want to do more, here are some easy tricks you might be able to use that are even easier:

- Install a low-flow shower head and use 50% less water (1.8lbs of carbon a day with a 10min shower).  Also look for one with a stop valve so you can soap up without wasting water.

- get an insulating blanket for your old water heater

- turn down the heat on your water heater

- get a tankless water heater

- and for the really ambitious, install a solar hot water heating system (no more carbon guilt!)

Pretty nifty, isn't it? That's not all the GreenDweller has to say, so check out her blog for more ideas and information.

» GreenDweller

Forget digging trenches or making crafts during leisure time; the inmates at an eco-prison in Norway are instead more likely to be found growing the produce they will eat, collecting eggs or tending to a wood fire that is used as a heat source. The green life is actually being used to rehabilitate inmates in the country before they are released from prison. The Norwegians in charge are so confident that this theory works in fact, they allow one prisoner who is in for murder (and also dismembered a dead body) use a chainsaw.

The real question is, does this system actually work? That's still up for debate, but watch the video clip above and read the EcoInsomniac's thoughts on the matter. 

I hope you take the time to watch the video above it is a great look into a successful program going on in Norway to reconnect inmates with life and respect. The prison governor is a very intelligent man and realized if you give the prisoners a good way to earn respect and treat them like people they tend it is much easier for them to integrate back into society. He has successfully rehabilitated inmates which most of the American worlds prisons fail to do everyday by giving his prisoners a way to work and connect with animals as well as create their own food these prisoners are learning to respect life, gain trust and a sense of living.

Everybody needs a sense of pride and programs like this give these men the sense that it can be earned by honest means. We truly need more programs like this in the world because it is abundantly clear that keeping men and women in over crowded cages is not a good way to make an honest person out of them.

Of course to me the fact that they are going about this in an eco-friendly way gives me hope that these men are being taught to respect their surrounding as well as the people around them. The solar power generation is a great step for prisons and I think more and more tax payer supported facilities should be implementing solar or wind power if the location allows for it. The money savings would be huge and the money saved could be directed at running these types of programs.

What do you think of Norway's initiative? Is going green the key to successful long-term rehabilitation or simply a waste of time, money, resources and efforts? Think about it while you visit the EcoInsomniac's blog to read more though-provoking commentary such as this.

» EcoInsomniac

Ah the weekend. There's no better time to start planning your next getaway then when you're already relaxed and in vacay-mode. We're so selfless that we want to give you a hand with this most exhausting and time-consuming task.

All you have to do is write a story for Ecollo. One. Uno. That's it. We haven't set any minimum or maximum word requirements, it just needs to have an environmental theme. Dying to write a blistering commentary defending carbon offsetting as a means of saving the earth? Raging mad about the endangerment of orangutans and need an outlet for your anger? Or maybe you just want to profess your undying love and adoration for Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Gore, Alicia Silverstone or insert-your-favorite-celebrity-environmentalist-here. Is so, we definitely want to hear from you!

In return, we'll take every entry and choose the one that receives the most ratings, comments and views and that lucky Ecollo reader-turned-writer will receive a copy of Organic Places to Stay in the UK by Linda Moss, your go-to guide for planning your next green vacation with ease.

Hit the jump to find out all you need to know to take part in the contest!

» Ecollo

It's difficult to imagine busting a gut over the topic of climate change, but some comedians are sure trying to make the whole global warming situation a little lighter. According to a few professional laugh-makers it's a sensitive subject that can be difficult to generate significant laughs from because poking fun at say, SUV drivers can come across as preachy. And as everyone knows, there's almost nothing in the world more awkward than the silence after someone tries to tell a joke that falls painfully flat.

Fortunately some professionals have still come up with some pretty amusing quips on the topic. Even though half of the fun is in the delivery, these still come across relatively well on paper computer screen. Read on for a good Friday evening giggle, or maybe even a slight guffaw.

Chris Rock: I hope that Live Earth ends global warming the same way Live Aid ended world poverty.

Robin Williams: Clean coal is a bit like wearing a porous condom - at least the intention was there.

Alan Carr: You know who they're blaming for global warming now, don't ya? Single people. Because we're in our house all on our on own using all that energy for ourselves. Sorry, everyone. Sorry, for being minging. I suppose they'll want to attach a wind turbine to my wanking arm.

Larry David: We [bald men] don't spend all our time shampooing and rinsing our hair. It's one of the many selfless acts we bald men perform every day to make our world a better place. The bald also don't have use for plastic combs, or no hair dryers either so that's gotta save on electricity. Come on. We have got to go bald - all of us. Walking around with a full head of hair is like driving an SUV or dumping toxic sludge into a river. It's irresponsible. Hey, you hair people, shame on you!

Marcus Brigstocke: So how many of you have low-energy light bulbs at home? Oh? So you're all like me, when you go in a room you spend the first few minutes in the dark, wondering what room you're in, then apologising 'cos you've pissed all over the duvet.

Jay Leno: NASA just released their new report on global warming or, as President Bush, calls it - Spring.

Bill Maher: If it solved global warming, would you give up the TV remote and go back to carting your fat ass over to the television set every time you wanted to change the channel. If that was the case in America, I think Americans would watch one channel forever.

» Guardian

On May 10 (that's tomorrow for anyone not paying close attention) Los Angeles, Kigali, London, Cairo, Mumbai and Rio de Janeiro will all participate in Pangea Day. The official website says of the global event:

Pangea Day taps the power of film to strengthen tolerance and compassion while uniting millions of people to build a better future.

In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and conflict, it's easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day seeks to overcome that — to help people see themselves in others — through the power of film.

Pangea Day will consist of four hours of short films, live music and visionary speakers broadcast from the six aforementioned locations, and will be linked live so you can watch the event live via the Internet, television, digital cameras and cell phones. Or course if you happen to live in or near one of the participating cities, you can also attend an event in-person.

An international competition was held and 24 short films were selected from more than 2,500 submissions from over 100 counties. The chosen films will be shown, as well as featured presenters including Queen Noor of Jordan and Christiane Amanpour from CNN.

The event will take place from 18:00 to 22:00 GMT and will feature subtitles in several languages including English, Arabic, French, Spanish, German, Hindi and Portuguese.

Watch one of the short films entitled Wild Snowman below and hit the jump to learn more about Pangea Day, including where, when and how to watch.

» Pangea Day (Official Site)

When there are water bottles as cute and affordable as these ones from Pottery Barn, there is definitely no reason to keep hanging on to potentially toxic bottles. Find an alternative use for your Nalgene bottles (such as turning it into a solar lantern) and pick one of these up instead.

These 25-ounce Pottery Barn reusable bottles are made from aluminum, eliminating concerns about the possibility of cancer from bottles containing bisphenol A. The screwtop lids are equipped with a carabiner so you can attach the bottle to your work or beach bag for added convenience, plus the bright, vivid design is perfect for summer. But the best part is that they're reasonably priced at just $10, meaning you can pick one up for your significant other (the blue/green design is definitely unisex!), your mom, sister, best friend, child, accountant and anybody else you can think of that you want to protect from harmful chemicals.

Visit Pottery Barn online for more information.

» Pottery Barn (Official Site)

Do you remember the days of being 17? You and your friends would plan your next shopping excursion to the mall/marathon session of Super Mario Bros. Or if you're Maria Merziotis you discover a way to identify and maybe even fight flu infections. All in a day's work really.

Merziotis, a Grade 12 student, recently took first place - and a cheque for $5,000 - in a national science competition and will enter her findings in an international competition held in San Diego next month. Health Canada is already reviewing Merziotis' research, which could help with the diganosis and treatment of the flu.

The flu virus attacks human cells by binding to a compound called sialic acid, or sialyllactose, on the cell surface. Merziotis synthesized a floating form of the acid, which dupes the virus with an alternative attachment site.

"It can be used to detect what strain of influenza is responsible for a specific infection," she said. "It can differentiate between human and avian strains. It may also be possible to interfere with the infection process by administering the floating sialyllactose through injection, nasal spray or lungs with a pump. The flu virus would attach to the artificial receptor rather than the human cell."

Sure, didn't we all know that?

The second-place price went to a team of three Grade 10 students who were able to identify genes that help plants thrive in salty soil. Third place went to a 15-year old who found a human gene variation that could help deal with bipolar disorder.

Well now that people under the age of 18 are discovering potential cures for the flu and possibly revolutionizing the treatment of serious mood disorders, let's see a show of hands of those a decade or more older who feel somewhat inadequate for expressing excitement after finally figuring out how to properly set the timer on their coffee maker.

» The Star

You would think that after 20 years of raising money for the rainforest, Sting would be getting some respect for his efforts. Tomorrow night he'll celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Rainforest Foundation, which he started with his wife Trudie Styler in 1989, with a concert at Carnegie Hall featuring guests such as Feist, Billy Joel and Brian Wilson (a member of the Beach Boys).

Unfortunately for Sting, Charity Navigator isn't so impressed the Rainforest Foundation. The watchdog group has given the US branch of the charity a zero-star rating out of a possible four for three years in a row. The last assessment was completed in 2006 and the foundation ended up lumped in with under two per cent of all monitored charities that receive no stars.. Charity Navigator says that only 60 per cent of the foundation's funds were spent on programs actually on the ground, while the norm is about 75 per cent. The 60 per cent is still an improvement over the 43 per cent of funds used on projects in 2004.

"One positive thing is that it is trending in the right direction, but they are still underperforming compared with their peers," said Sandra Miniutti. "It's not a new charity; it's been around a long time and we would expect to see greater efficiency."

In his defense, Franca Sciuto, one of the chairs of Sting's charity claims that 2007 will show an even bigger improvement over previous years and pointed out that in the past 20 years, the foundation has raised approximately $25 million, with 85 per cent of those funds being donated to native land rights and forest preservation.

» Guardian

Cindy Crawford is a long-time supporter of the safe water bottles produced by SIGG. Now she's joined forces with SIGG and Pur to raise money for the Children's Safe Drinking Water, a program devoted to solving the problem of water-related diseases in developing countries.

Cindy has designed a special edition "Thirsty for Change" SIGG bottle, of which all proceeds will be donated to Children's Safe Drinking Water. This will provide someone in need with 450 liters of clean drinking water - or in easier to understand terms, enough clean drinking water to last one children seven-and-a-half months! That's a pretty sweet deal considering you'll also be giving yourself the gift of a safe, non-toxic (as in no bisphenol A) water bottle.

Cindy is also promoting Pur's water filtration system, which can supposedly save a consumer $600 a year because it only costs one-tenth of what bottled water does.

So to sum up: You purchase a SIGG bottle and maybe even the PUR filtration system. The money raised from the bottle purchase will supply someone in need with clean drinking water. In return, you'll not only have that warm, fuzzy feeling from doing something good for someone else, you'll also have a safe water bottle to drink from and a new filtration system to provide you with water that can compete with your precious bottled water. Except when you put it in your new bottle, you'll be preventing plastic bottles from ending up in landfills. Sounds like a pretty good deal, no?

Hit the jump to purchase the limited edition "Thirsty for Change" bottle (sorry, no supermodel included with purchase) or learn more about the Thirsty for Change initiative by clicking here.

» SIGG (Official Site)

Mother's Day is right around the corner and you have not yet bought a gift. How is that possible? You couldn't find five minutes to shop for a gift for the woman who has devoted her entire life to you? Okay, enough with the guilt!  Get to it!

While you do not have much time (Mother's Day is May 11) you can still send a thoughtful, personal AND organic gift. SomeoneSpoilMe.com, the gift experts, are here to help. See link for some fabulous options!

» Someone Spoil Me