VIDEO: SF Mayor Gavin Newsom discusses importance of cities in discussion of sustainability

Summary:

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is a strong advocate for sustainable urban planning and green business practices; he lead San Francisco to join the Kyoto Protocol, created significant incentives for solar power installation through the GoSolarSF program, and is working on an ambitious plan to make SF the "Electric Vehicle Capital of the U.S."

He discusses his ideas and plans for shaping the growth of cities during these turbulent times.

VIDEO: Learn about "The Story of Stuff"

This video has been around for a couple of years now, but lately it has gotten some renewed attention. So, we thought we'd share it here...

"What is the Story of Stuff?

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever."

Here's a little teaser video to give you an idea...





Click on image below to go to The Story of Stuff website and watch the entire video.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.23.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• Cell Phones May Be Unsafe for Teens - (post from TheDailyGreen) "Another study has added to growing concerns among some scientists that cell phones - particularly when used by younger people - could increase the risk of a rare brain cancer."
• Green Halloween - Offers tips to have a healthier and greener Halloween, including some great alternatives to passing out candy.
• Pedoodles Eco Kicks for Kids - (post from Eco Chick) Cute eco-friendly shoes for kids.
  

Tech & Cyber Stuff

• Robotic Prius Takes Itself for a Spin Around SF - (post from CNET News) Cool or creepy - you decide.
• 5 Green Ways to Dispose of that Old Cell Phone - (post from EcoLocalizer)
• Chrysler to Sell Electric Cars in US as Early as 2010 - (post from Gas 2.0) An electric version of Chrysler's Voyager MPV.
• Ploggs Track Power Usage, Lets You Know Wirelessly - (post from EcoGeek) It's currently only availabe in Europe, but we thought this gadget was so cool, we had to post it.
• Solar Parking Lots: Charge While You Park - (post from EcoGeek) This would be amazing if a reality. Electric cars could "fill up" while out on the road, not just at home.
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• World Consumption Exceeds Resources After Today - (post from TheDailyGreen) An interesting, yet alarming article - everyone should read and pass along.
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Babymomento - Custom online birth announcements and holiday e-cards.
• SustainLane's 2008 US City Sustainability Rankings - Check to see where your city ranks on sustainablility. See which cities made the top 3 and why.