NASA has put out a proposal for a greener fuel source for launching satellites, rockets and eventually space taxis.  Space launches add “several kilotons” of carbon dioxide into the air each year.  So far it isn’t a large percentage of the CO2 that gets spewed from cars, trains, planes and ships, but over the next several decades that could change.  Because more governments and private enterprises are looking at space for new ventures, less harmful fuel is needed.

Bamboo is an excellent sustainable material because it grows quickly, is durable and relatively easy to grow.  Because of it’s sustainability, we have seen a flood of different things made out of bamboo like towels, sheets, iPod/iPhone cases, furniture, rugs, etc.  Later this year we will be seeing a new Android phone packed into a bamboo shell.  No this isn’t a case that fits over the phone, it is the phone itself.

Solar power is growing the fastest in developing countries that don’t have access to electrical grids.  Solar panels are still expensive although cheaper than purchasing fossil fuels for generators.  MIT scientists have come up with a method of creating your own solar cells using grass clippings that will be extremely cheap to make.

Better Place has one of the more unique ways of dealing with exhausted electric car batteries.  While it does offer charging stations which take quite a while to charge your battery, it also offers the option of simply switching it out.  A 100 car fleet of electric vehicles will now begin testing the infrastructure which stretches across Israel.

Earlier this week Joule Unlimited secured $70 million in funding.  The company happens to have algae facilities that turn carbon dioxide and sunlight into biodiesel and ethanol.  Meanwhile Bio Architecture Lab was able to get seaweed to create chemicals and biofuels.  Both processes use patented organisms to create the biofuel.

As cellphone contracts come up for renewal most people look for a new phone to replace their last one.  One of the top phones to consider is the iPhone and when you purchase a new phone, you always have to get a new case.  INature has developed a fashionable protective case out of biodegradable plastic.

The California Energy Commission has created new standards for battery chargers that would go into effect in February of 2013. The new chargers would contain technology that would shut the charger off once a gadget was fully charged, reducing wasted energy.  That wasted energy is sometimes referred to as vampire draw.

Energy companies are beginning to put Texas’ vast amount of sunshine to use. Having the largest utility scale solar project in the state is something to brag about.  Texas likes things big and Austin Energy’s 30MW solar farm fits that the bill while also providing clean energy to thousands of homes.

Many automakers unveil concept cars at the various auto shows around the world and every now and then they actually make it into production.  Mostly they showcase new technology and design ideas.  Tata Motors will be showcasing the eMO at this years Detroit Auto Show in the Michelin Challenge Design.  Unlike many concept cars, Tata has basically said that this car won’t ever see a production line but the company has built a nice little imaginary retail experience around the car.

Installing solar panels is one way to get off the grid and free yourself from your local electric company.  Solar energy is renewable, free (except for the cost of the panels and installation) and doesn’t spew CO2 into the atmosphere.  But it still costs more per watt than grid provided electricity.  However that is going to change starting in 2013.