LED desk lamps have a lot going for them. Besides being energy efficient, LED lamps run much cooler than conventional desk lamps, and you can expect the LEDs to last for 10-15 years. Watch out for poorly made LED lamps though — I have an Adesso Lamp that lost 7 of its 20 LEDs in the first year. I see many other Amazon buyers had the same problem with this lamp.

Here is our round-up of the best led desk lamps:

The Softech DL-90 Multi-FunctionLED Desk Lamp

This lamp was just released this year by Softech, and it has a lot going for it. The lamp incorporates 27 high-power daylight LEDs. The Color Rendering Index of the LEDs is rated at 90+ (excellent).

The lamp has four distinct lighting modes and 40 brightness levels in total. The first two modes are for desk work: a reading mode with mid-range colors (4300K-5300K) that are easy on the eyes, and a study mode which has a high range color temperature (6000K-7000K). The lamp can also be switched to a relaxation mode and a sleep mode — these have softer, warm color temperatures.

This lamp uses 10 watts or less of power to provide light equivalent to a 100 watt incandescent bulb. It is said to last about 40,000 hours or 20 years of normal use.

A handy feature of this lamp is “auto off timer”. The timer will turn the lamp off after one hour, saving your power if you forget to turn it off. It has has a USB charging port.

The Softech DL-90 lamp is available from Amazon for about $159. There’s also a version that incorporates an iPod/iPhone dock for $179.

The Z-Bar High Power LED Desk Lamp

The minimalist Z-Bar High Power LED Desk Lamp is an attractive lamp that features the latest LEDs.

It has six daylight white LEDs that use only about 9 watts of electricity at full brightness (the LEDs generate about 240 lumens of light).

The Z-Bar has a built-in 4-step dimming function that will take the light down to save even more on electricity or it can be used to create softer lighting for the task at hand. The adjustable joints can be placed in almost any position without tightening or loosening knobs or screws, simply move the light to where you need it and the lamp will hold to form.

The Z-Bar received an I.D. Magazine “best of category” award a few years ago.

The Z-Bar LED Desk Lamp is available from Amazon for around $170. It comes in three colors: red, silver and black.

EcoLight LED Table Lamp

The EcoLight LED Table Lamp receives great reviews from owners (see the comments on this post and on Amazon). Made by IMG Lighting, this lamp has a unique feature: a touchpad that allows you to adjust the brightness and warmth of the light. This is possible because the lamp has both yellow and white LEDs. The lamp uses just 12.9 watts of power at maximum brightness, and produces 600 lumens.

The EcoLight is available from Amazon for around $219.

LED Extended Gooseneck Lamp

This is a new LED lamp that is getting good reviews on Amazon (four reviewers have given it 5/5 stars). Reviewers like the weighted base. It runs on just 2 watts, producing 100 lumens of light.

The LED Extended Gooseneck Lamp is available for about $100 at Amazon.

Recently, we featured men’s cruiser bicycles. Now let’s take a look at women’s cruiser bikes, which have become very popular in recently years. Nearly every major bike manufacturer now offers at least one cruiser model, if not an entire line. We feature some of the best looking bikes below, with a eye towards classic styling.

See also our post on the Best Women’s Comfort Bikes Under $500.

Electra Women’s Cruiser Bicycles

The Electra company specializes in high-end cruiser bikes — and they have a great range of women’s models. Electra makes classic Dutch-styled bikes such as the Super Deluxe Cruiser (pictured above), and the Amsterdam Sports Custom model (pictured below). Note the built-in fenders and chain guards!

This style of bike is popular in cities such as Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Brussels. Electra combines this Dutch style with their Flat-Foot technology, which places the pedals farther forward of the saddle than most cruiser bikes. This allows full leg extension when pedaling, and also allowing the rider to place both feet on the ground when stopped. The result is an very rideable, safe-feeling city bike, which is great for short trips around town.

The Electra Amsterdam models are priced from $700 to $800. They are available from REI.

Electra also makes a wide range of women’s Beach Cruisers, available in numerous colors of styles. Pictured here is the single-speed Gypsy Cruiser, which comes with a built-in basket.

Electra Cruisers range in price from $280 for their basic Cruisers, up to $600 for the Gypsy Cruiser. They are also available from REI.

Nirve Women’s Cruiser Bicycle

Nirve makes a range women’s Cruiser Bicycles which are styled on 1950′s American cruiser designs. Their cruisers include flower-embossed double-spring saddles, handlebars Coaster brakes, full-length fenders, and stainless-steel spokes.

Pictured above are Nirve’s Lahaina Cocoa Butter Nirve Cruiser and the Paul Frank Cruiser.

Nirve’s cruiser range in price from $350 to $500. They are available from Amazon.

Felt Women’s Cruiser Bicycle

Felt Bicycles are known for designing very appealing bikes — and their Women’s Cruiser Bikes are no exception. The Felt Claire (pictured in orange above) includes full-coverage fenders, extra wide aluminum rims, and springer saddles with embossing and piping.

Felt Cruisers are priced from $500 to $600.

Cadillac Eldorado Women’s Cruiser Beach Bike

Cadillac makes a range of women’s cruiser bikes with retro styling that pays homage to the 1950s Cadillac Eldorado.

You can find them at Amazon for about $300.

Polaris IQ Women’s Cruiser Bicycle

Polaris makes this fully-equipped entry-level beach cruiser, which sells for under $200. The IQ Cruiser is built on a steel cruiser frame with a single speed drivetrain, a rear coaster brake, chrome fenders, and a spring cushioned saddle.

It’s available from Amazon for $189.

Didn’t see a color you like in this review, you can find a lot more styles here.

Rendering Of A New, More Efficient American Airlines Airbus

The airline industry is one of the nation’s biggest consumers of fuel – no surprise there – but new aircraft technology has dramatically improved planes’ fuel efficiency.  Besides drastically cutting carbon emissions, more efficient jetliners have proven critical for airlines’ financial bottom lines, and companies clinging to outdated technology are paying the price, as evidenced by this week’s American Airlines bankruptcy.

Despite the cost of upgrades, a more modern and fuel-efficient fleet can make the difference between an airline staying competitive and losing money.  It’s no coincidence that American Airlines, which declared bankruptcy this week in an effort to restructure and cut costs, ranks as one of the worst US carriers in terms of average fuel efficiency according to a recent Wall Street Journal article.  Perhaps even more important, American has also trailed far behind most other airlines in improving its average fuel efficiency over the last decade.

Older American Airlines Planes Like This MD-80 Are Inefficient, Costly

According to an article in yesterday’s New York Times,

More than a third of [American's] 600 planes are McDonnell Douglas MD-80s, an aging design that burns more fuel than newer models.  “If oil was still at $50 a barrel, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” said Mike Boyd, an airline consultant. “Their bet was to hold on to their older MD-80s”.  American’s fleet has an average vintage of 15 years, making it one of the oldest and least fuel-efficient among the six major United States carriers.

One Of AA's Next-Generation Boeing 737s

Fortunately, American was already planning a substantial overhaul to its stable of aircraft.  Back in July, Wired reported that American had announced huge deals to purchase a minimum of 460 next-generation, fuel-efficient Boeing and Airbus aircraft.  It’s worth noting that air travel is nowhere near as “green” as, say, riding your bike, but when it comes to the average “mile per gallon per seat” measurement for a person traveling by either plane or by car, planes are often a more efficient option.  For example, the most modern Boeing 737 can transport a passenger as efficiently as a 99-mpg car.

Air travel isn’t likely to lose its popularity anytime soon, but the industry still has a responsibility to be as fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly as possible.  And airlines are finally starting to realize that greener technology is good for business as well as the planet.

Related: Delta Airliners Integrating Wheeltug Hybrid Motor Technology

Wind turbines are one of the most promising sources of large-scale renewable power.  Wind power doesn’t produce any pollutants, and unlike water or fuel resources, wind is literally an endless source of energy.  However, wind farms do require a substantial amount of space, which is why a much more efficient design like the “Wind Lens” could make wind energy cheaper and more practical.

Developed by researchers at Kyushu University’s Research Institute for Applied Mechanics (RIAM), the wind lens design utilizes a curved housing that encircles the blades of a wind turbine.  The ring is comprised of an inlet shroud, diffuser, and brim that work together to create a low-pressure pocket behind the turbine when wind passes around the ring.  The resulting suction can triple the effective wind speed that drives the turbine blades.

The Aerodynamics Behind The Wind Lens (image: Kyushu University RIAM)

Increasing the energy generated from a single turbine has the potential to make wind power even cheaper than nuclear energy, and wind turbines carry none of the risks associated with nuclear power plants.  Their primary drawbacks are interference with wildlife (such as migrating flocks of birds) and noise; fortunately, the Wind Lens design makes turbines quieter as well as more efficient.

But could wind turbines really make a substantial contribution to US energy demand?  Absolutely.  A recent MNN article by Karl Burkart breaks down the numbers in more detail, but the bottom line is this:  if improved turbines like the Wind Lens were installed in just 20% of America’s “high wind potential” areas, they could provide all the power consumed in the US.

Rendering Of An Offshore Application For Wind Lens Turbines (image: Kyushu University RIAM)

Prototypes are already being tested at Kyushu University.  And the developers are already thinking ahead to the possibilities for large-scale implementation, including floating offshore wind farms far out to sea that could take advantage of uninterrupted air currents without competing for space on land.

(via CleanTechnica & MNN)

According to a recent study conducted by Yale and George Mason Universities, most Americans are firmly behind the development and implementation of cleaner energy technologies.  The majority – across the political spectrum – would even support taxing carbon emissions to help reduce industrial pollution.

The Yale Project on Climate Change Communication coordinated the study, which took place during October and November of this year.  Among the feedback from “Climate Change in the American Mind:  Public Support for Climate & Energy Policies in November 2011″ were the following findings:

90 percent of Americans say developing sources of clean energy should be a very high (30%), high (35%), or medium (25%) priority for the president and Congress, including 82 percent of registered Republicans, 91 percent of Independents, and 97 percent of Democrats.

85 percent of Americans (including 76% of registered Republicans, 83% of Independents, and 90% of Democrats) say that protecting the environment either improves economic growth and provides new jobs (54%), or has no effect (31%). Only 15 percent say environmental protection reduces economic growth and costs jobs.

69 percent of Americans oppose federal subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, including 67 percent of registered Republicans, 80 percent of Independents, and 68 percent of Democrats.

Most Americans Would Support Carbon Taxes To Cut Pollution & Offset Personal Income Tax

Not surprisingly, respondents found the idea of additional taxes to be more agreeable when they considered that the revenues could actually offset their personal income taxes by targeting industrial polluters:

60 percent of Americans support a $10 per ton carbon tax if the revenue were used to reduce federal income taxes, even when told this would “slightly increase the cost of many things you buy, including food, clothing, and electricity.” This policy is supported by 48 percent of registered Republicans, 50 percent of Independents, and 74 percent of Democrats.

The bottom line?  Clean energy solutions don’t need to be a financial compromise – they can be healthy for the nation’s economy as well as the environment.  More and more individuals are recognizing this, which will be crucial as American energy policy evolves over the next few years.

You can view the entire study, or download it in PDF format at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies website.

Home improvement can pay for itself, and even put cash back in your pocket – if you’re putting your money in the right places.  Renovations that increase your home’s energy efficiency aren’t just nice for the environment, they can be economical as well.  The folks at One Block Off The Grid offer a great guide to help you sort out which upgrades make the most sense for your home.

The graphic highlights a range of improvements, both big and small, that will cut your utility bills while reducing your home’s environmental footprint.  Each project is marked with four key figures:  average annual savings, projected savings over a 20-year period, the amount of time for the project to pay for itself, and the cost of the renovation.

(click to view the full size image)

The handy illustration points out that in terms of financial investment, many of these home upgrades can offer a better payoff than traditional investments like stocks or CDs.  And depending where you live, incentives like rebates and tax breaks can make the renovation costs substantially cheaper.

These aren’t just long-term projects, either:  upgrades like low-flow showerheads and programmable thermostats can pay for themselves in less than a year, making them a good choice for renters as well as homeowners.  Larger scale renovations on the other hand, like a green roof or solar array, have the potential to save a homeowner tens of thousands of dollars over the years.

(via One Block Off The Grid)

The newest generation of home heating stoves, which burn fuel pellets instead of firewood, can be a great choice for fending off winter’s chilly temperatures.  Pellet stoves are available in a wide range of styles and designs, and they can provide an extremely fuel-efficient source of heat.

Forget about comparing these high-tech models to old-fashioned open fireplaces.  Traditional fireplace designs don’t allow wood to burn very efficiently, causing unnecessary pollution while much of their heat gets wasted up the chimney.  Modern pellet stoves, on the other hand, are 75-90% efficient with particulate emissions up to 5 times lower than even EPA-certified wood stoves.  A cubic foot of pellets also provides up to 5 times more heat output (measured in BTUs) compared to an equal amount of cordwood.

But what about the carbon footprint of all that burning?  Well, any wood you burn that would have otherwise decomposed is essentially a wash, since all the carbon sequestered in wood is emitted as it decomposes anyway.  The carbon in other fuels like petroleum, however, would simply stay put if it wasn’t burned for fuel.

Pellets contain much less moisture than cordwood, which means they burn hotter and they are lighter to transport.  Homeowners can further reduce their embodied energy by using locally produced pellets whenever possible.  As a bonus, bags of pellets are also generally much more convenient to handle than piles of logs.

A Pellet Fuel Stove From Harman Stoves

Pellets can be produced from a variety of sources like sawdust, agricultural waste, and even paper waste; some manufacturers only use source wood that has already been killed by disease or pests.  For example, Colorado-based New Earth Pellets manufactures their fuel from pine trees damaged by the invasive Mountain Pine Beetle.

Pellet stoves aren’t perfect for everyone; they are generally more expensive than traditional stoves, and they often require electricity for their circulating fans.  But they can usually be installed with a simple vent (instead of an expensive chimney), and there are pellet stoves to match any room size or decor.  Homeowners may also qualify for rebates or other incentives to help offset the cost of installation, like Vermont’s $500 credit for switching from oil to pellet stove heating.

You can find more information at The Department of Energy’s EnergySavers website.

(via ModernEnviro)

Mexico City is a sprawling city with nearly 9 million residents, and some of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the world.  So how could developers possibly squeeze a 65-story structure into the middle of the city’s historic district?  Instead of building upwards, a newly proposed design calls for building down into the ground, creating the world’s first “earthscraper”.

BNKR Arquitectura, the architecture firm behind the concept, sees the below-ground structure as a natural solution to the area’s need for more space.  Local laws restrict the removal of existing historic structures, and even if developers could find an empty lot, new buildings in the neighborhood are limited to 8 stories in height.

The designers envision a huge inverted pyramid that could house offices, homes, retail stores, and even special use spaces like museum galleries.  The main city square above, known as the “Zocalo”, would be preserved – its pavement replaced with transparent panels that would allow plenty to natural light into the massive atrium below.

The concept is purely theoretical for now, but some of the design solutions proposed by BNKR architect Esteban Suarez are pretty clever.   For example, a series of  landscaped “earth lobbies” within the structure would help filter the air, fiber optic filaments could transmit natural light into enclosed areas, and groundwater surrounding the structure could be used to drive electricity-generating turbines.  Such a structure could also presumably take full advantage of geothermal heating and cooling; some of a skyscraper’s logistical challenges, like pumping water to the upper floors, could also take advantage of gravity to be much more energy-efficient.
Check out the BNKR Arquitectura website for more images and details about the proposed project.
(All images: BNKR Arquitectura)

Photocredit: DFB (http://downtownfrombehind.tumblr.com)

For bicycle commuters, continuing to pedal through the winter months can be a daunting task, especially if one lives in a northern city. Often the decision for winter bicycle commuting comes down to perspective: Is cycling a sport or a viable form of transportation that offers a multitude of advantages such as saving money and improving the health of the cyclist and the environment? In order for bicycling to be respected as sustainable transportation, the surrounding community must be supportive of cyclists year-round. This includes city maintenance of bike lanes and paths during winter as well as supportive bicycle initiatives. It can be done. In Copenhagen, where dedicated snow plows clear the bike lanes, 80% of cyclists continue through the winter. Here are five cities in the U.S. that are supporting bicycle commuting through the winter.

Boulder, Colorado

What makes Boulder one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country is partly due to the city’s commitment to winter bike commuters. While Boulder is no stranger to bike commuting it’s also no stranger to snowy weather, which makes most Coloradans dedicated to maintaining an active lifestyle despite weather challenges. Last January, Boulder held its’ third annual Winter Bike to Work Day. The over-60 miles of paved multi-use paths get plowed before more than an inch of snow accumulates using separate snow removal crews, while the on-road bike lanes are plowed right along with the streets. Many Boulder cyclists say their bicycles are faster than getting across town in a car held up by winter weather and traffic. Though Boulder does not have commuter rail, bike racks are available on the city bus at a first come first serve basis.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Heralded by Bicycling Magazine as America’s most bike-friendly city, Minneapolis has seen success for its’ initiative in reducing car dependence. While the number of bicycle commuters do decline in the frigid winter months, the city estimates that 36 percent of bike commuters still pedal on clear winter days and a bold 20 percent brave the harsher conditions that tend to plague the area. Perhaps it’s the inspiration cyclists get from seeing others riding in the winter that will keep these numbers rising.

With over 60 miles of off-road trails, the city is speedy at removing snow from these areas, typically withing 24 hours. According to Minneapolis cyclists, the 46 miles of on-road bike lanes become a bit more challenging to keep clear of the piling snow as well as parked cars during the winter months. Cyclists can take advantage of Minneapolis’ Metro Transit System incorporating light rail, commuter rail, and bus service all equipped with bike racks. For commuters who travel by bike 3 or more days a week, the transit system offers a free Guaranteed Ride Home Program good for use up to 4 times a year for emergencies such as snowstorms.

Madison, Wisconsin

Madison’s successful bicycle infrastructure has made getting around town by bike such a feasible venture that many Madison bike commuters continue on through the winter months. Currently, the town boasts 87 miles of bike lanes and 43 miles of off-road bike paths which are quickly cleared of snow by the parks department. Many Madison cyclists claim the bike paths are often cleared before the streets. Bike Madison, the city’s website devoted exclusively for bicycling, is a great resource and support for year-round bike commuters.  All Madison Metro buses are equipped with bike racks available on a first come first serve basis. Bike Winter is a volunteer organization that hosts winter cycling events in Madison in an effort to inspire and educate.

New York, New York

The New York City Parks Department does such a expeditious job of clearing the growing number of bike paths and greenways that last winter it added to the already contentious bike lane controversy when many of the bike paths were cleared of snow and ice before the roads. For New York to compete with world-class bicycling cities like Copenhagen, this support of winter cycling will need to continue as the more cyclists are out there in the winter, the more citizens will be aware of cyclists on the road. The New York City Department of Transportation has done an excellent job of adding bicycle parking, including the famous David Byrne bike racks, and is in the process of building 36 sheltered bike racks that hold 8 bikes each. Their website includes a helpful map showing where these bike racks are located. With NYC gearing up to unleash its’ New York City Bike Share in 2012, winter cycling in New York could see a surge as the program is slated to run 365 days a year.

Burlington, Vermont

Recently awarded the silver status as a Bicycle-Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, Burlington, Vermont can be buried in snow from October to April as the winds whip off Lake Champlain. This doesn’t stop the tenacious souls who choose a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation through the harsh winters of Burlington. Many University of Vermont students find it easier and much less expensive to get around town sporting fat tires and extra layers as they pedal through the elements. With Burlington devoted to building a strong bicycle network as well as encouraging residents to lead a sustainable lifestyle, winter cycling isn’t such a crazy notion.