Breathe Costa Rica Soooo Way Better Than Breathe Methane

Que pasos, vatos? For all of you wondering what the notoriously big-hearted Drew Stevenson (Onboard, filmUp, TTR among others) has been up to recently, look no further than his latest creative endeavor, Breathe Costa Rica.

BCR is a social/ecological festival in the Nicoya Penincula, Costa Rico involving music, art, surfing and what's undoubtedly a whole lot of positive energy directed towards raising awareness of social and ecological issues.

As an important part of the event, from now until 1 March there will be a charity auction of items donated by surf and snowboard pros with proceeds going to the underserved kids of Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica. So hit that link and snatch up some killer memorabilia (and future eBay fodder) from the likes of Axel Pauporte, Manoa Drollet, Nicolas Müller, Ingemar Backman and others.

Charge on, Drew. Charge on.

The Arctic Challenge's Green Challenge

The Arctic Challenge, snowboarding's original green contest, is going greener. Organizers are hoping that the 2009 event (that just went down February 19-21 in Oslo, Norway) and future events will be certified Green Events with Miljøfyrtårn, the Norwegian Environmental Standards Organization.

This year they have sourced food from local farmer’s markets, are using Norway’s Buddy electric cars for transport and have converted the whole site to run on electricity, rather than diesel fuels.

Henning Andersen, CEO of the Arctic Challenge, explains their commitment: “The environmental and organic thinking shall influence everything we do. It is the key to our future strategy. It is not a side project, but integrated into our sports activities, event organization and business.”

I'm So Not Making This Up: Zoom Bicycles

Too fat or lazy to pedal? Well, here's your answer. For a mere $110 (free shipping!) Zoombicycles has come out with a 49cc bicycle engine kit that turns that old mountain bike you used to charge around on into a sporty new, gas-sipping, road machine that potentially gets over 100mpg. The kit is totally DIY for anyone with a set of tools and a little mechanical aptitude (or so the website reports).

Still need convincing? Check out this little creampuff that Barry put together and you'll be on the website with your credit card in no time.


Rad.

Oooh, We Just Love That Country Feeling

Master shapers Jeff Bushman and Kyle Bernhardt were recently awarded by the governor of Hawaii for their innovative shaping solutions. Their brand, Country Feeling Surfboards, shapes surfboards using environmentally friendly materials like soy-based and sugar-based foams; deck inlays made from hemp, organic cotton, bamboo and silk; and resin that is catalyzed by the sun.

Their first run is a classic line of fishes, twin fins, single fins, four-fins, eggs, funboards, longboards, and stand up paddleboards – all kinder to the environment and engineered to bring the soul back into surfing.

Greener Fins, Bluer Water, Cleaner (and hopefully Bigger) Air

With surfboards getting greener it was only a matter of time before fins took the same path. FCS's new Project Green Flex is an initiative which results in fins made from post-consumer material. that maintains the strength and flex of their Glass Flex fins.

FCS's parent Company, Surf Hardware International, is working on ways to reduce their environmental impact and Project Green Flex falls under the umbrella of SHI’s Environmental Policy, which states the company’s commitment to creating products and programs with design & sustainable sourcing, carbon management and the use of ethical supply chains. Go the SHI!

Driving Green Doesn't Have to Mean Saying You're Sorry

Sorry guys but I'm having a hard time getting my head around driving a Prius. I mean, I know it's the right thing to do but man that rig is some kinda ugly. 

So what I'm wondering is how long it's gonna take for one of these amazing ultra-green concept cars to hit the road. Unveiled at the latest Detroit Auto Show, these cars are light years ahead of what we've got available today not only in terms of enviro friendliness but in style points as well.

Cutting the Cows Cutting the Cheese

Cows and other farm animals are believed to be responsible for up to a quarter of man-made methane emissions - a much more potent global warming gas than CO2. 

An average cow emits between 80kg - 120kg of methane a year, which is the same as the annual carbon emissions from an average family car.

Veggie burger with a glass of soy milk, please.

The North Face and Polartec Tap Eco Champion

The North Face and Polartec are firing up the troops with their Eco Champion program. Eco Champion invites entrants to submit videos or blogs showcasing people who deserve special recognition for their efforts to improve the environment. The winner scores a $15,000 donation made in their name to a green cause of their choice plus a $1000 gift certificate to The North Face online store.