Sicilian Mafia Getting in on 'Green' Wind Farms
Wind farms have become big business on the island of Sicily, and, according to FOX News, mafia goodfellas have begun tapping into the earth's resources for monetary gain. Both the Italian government and the European Union subsidize the farms and offer health benefits to mill farm operators, unintentionally providing mafiosi with incentive to get in on the Wind Boom.
After discovering that several shoddily constructed farms were still receiving subsidies despite being out of operation, Sicilian prosecutors set their sights on the new, supposedly eco-friendly Cosa Nostra. Eight arrests have already been made. Prosecutor Robert Scarpinato told the Financial Times: "This is the amazing thing -- that developers got public money to build wind farms that did not produce electricity."
Maybe the racketeers are trying to reshape their image, and just aren't accustomed to employing actual operational construction techniques. Once they get the hang of it, with their deep pockets and heavy-handed influence, Sicilian wise guys could be at the forefront of the green movement. We're not sure that's a good idea, though, as their notoriety would take a serious worldwide hit. The prospects of Joe Pesci working a wind mill, a 'Godfather: Greenhand Edition' video game, and the Soprano family's return to television as farmers just don't sound all that exciting. [From: FOX News]
10 Earth-Friendly Gadgets We Like
Just because you're going green doesn't mean you have to pay an arm and a leg for eco-friendly gadgets. We've been scouting around for affordable gadgets that are also are kind to the earth and found ten we really love. Unlike, say, a Prius, most of our picks are nice-looking, too!
Ikea Solvig LED Solar-Powered Lights
They may look like they're out of 'Star Wars,' but Ikea's Solvig LED solar-powered lights are designed to light up your garden. Just plug them into the included solar-panel and set them up around your plants - the lights automatically turn on when the sun goes down. $20, ikea.com
Kikkerland Crank Solar Radio
This soap-bar-sized AM/FM radio uses old-school hand-crank technology, which gives you about 30 minutes of radio time for just one minute of winding. Or, you can charge it up via the solar panel on the top of the device. About 35 hours in the sun yields seven hours of radio time. $30, acgers.com
EasyBloom Plant Sensor
No green thumb? No problem. Just stick the EasyBloom Plant sensor anywhere in your garden or home, where it will measure temperature, humidity, and light. Take the sensor back to your computer, plug it in via USB, and you'll get a list of the best plants to grow in that part of your house or garden, along with plant-specific gardening instructions. $60, plantsense.com
Suck UK Solar Clock
Not much to say about this looker other than we'd probably hang it on our wall - or put it on our hall table - even if it weren't solar powered (the clock charges via a solar panel right on the top). $56, acgers.com
The Energy Detective (T.E.D.)
The Energy Detective measures your entire household's usage in real time, letting you figure out (and also offering tips on) the best way to manage your home's electricity, and promises a bill reduction of 10 to 20-percent. $150
Asus U6 Limited Edition Bamboo Notebook
This Windows Vista laptop is covered in actual wood - well, biodegradable Moso bamboo wood, which makes it a whole lot more eco-friendly than plastic. It also has an LED backlight, which uses up less energy while giving you more light. But green-tastic-ness aside, the U6 - which comes with a cute little bamboo-covered mouse -- is quite possibly the sexiest laptop we've ever seen. $2,000, asus.com
Motorola Renew (T-Mobile)
This phone's body is made entirely out of recycled plastic water bottles. That's its main claim to fame in terms of the actual phone itself, but the Renew also comes with smaller packaging and an pre-paid envelope to send your old phone to recycling heaven.
MacBook Pro
Apple's newest line of MacBook Pros are more energy efficient than their predecessors; the laptops meet strict Energy Star requirements and adjust energy use settings depending on how you're using the machine. The body of Apple's newest line of MacBook Pros is built from a single piece of recycled aluminum, and Apple has eliminated many of the harmful toxins typically used in manufacturing.
Areaware Moof Bike
Well, bikes are inherently eco-friendly, but the Areaware Moof goes one step further, by building a recessed solar-powered LED light right into the aluminum frame. At $600, it's not exactly discount, but just think of all the money you'll eventually save on gas and batteries!
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