Mutant Algae

This just sounds like a real good idea with a lot of potential bad.  Scientists have engineered algae to absorb more light thus making it grow better.  In turn, more algae means more biofuel potential.  Scientists have looked at algae for a while as a way to reduce fossil fuel dependence as it can be turned into biodiesel and this mutant algae even produces some hydrogen thus giving way to hydrogen powered cars.

The biggest advantage is that we don't touch our food supply.  The current push is for ethanol which mainly comes from corn (and occasionally bad beer).  Algae also sucks up a lot of CO2.

 The bad?  Yeah, there's always bad.  What happens when this algae gets out?  What does it do the natural system?  GMO is always dangerous because we don't know what we're ultimately changing in the world.

But its still a cool idea.  See what they're doing at Technology Review. 

When You Can Do Today

Switch your light bulbs.  Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs use less energy (usually a quarter of what typical incandescent bulbs use) and can save you as much as $35 over the life of the CFL versus incandescents.  

More more information and to proclaim that you changed your bulbs, visit One Billion Bulbs.

Computing

There are many things you can do to lighten your load on the environment.  But did you ever consider what you're sitting in front of?  If you're using a desktop computer, chances are its sucking down a frightful amount of energy right now.  

Now, if you're the DIY type and not afraid of computers, you have some options.  Consider upgrading your processor to a mobile version as they use less power.  If the computer is on its last leg, consider a laptop as a replacement.  You will pay more but typically get comparable performance to a new desktop computer and it will use much less power.  For more on the processors, see the PC Magazine Extra.

One last note, if that computer is only running a little sluggish, don't toss it quite yet.  Consider upgrading the components.  Adding extra memory will greatly improve performance.  If its already maxed out, then try to trade it in or sell it to a local computer shop.  Dell will even recycle it for free. 

A last note, if you've maxed your system and its sluggish, consider dumping Windows.  Linux offers many low spec distros that'll run nicely on older hardware.  Even more, if you've been locked to Internet and e-mail, then they can free you to do so much more.

Housing

Green housing exists under many different names including straw bale housing and earthships.   The basic point of green housing is to find renewable resources (like any straw, bamboo, grass, et cetera) and some non-renewable but reusable materials (car tires, glass bottles) that can formed into reasonable living space.  

Straw Bale Housing is made from any type of straw, coated with stucco, plaster, and/or concrete.  The bales are stacked, leaving room for doors and windows, then coated.  Some designs do incorporate wood frames or heavy rods through the bales for added stability.  The designs are as creative as one likes.  An added advantage to straw bale houses is the lost cost.  Depending on your proximity to farm land, prices will vary.  In Indiana, I can buy bales from $2 - $4 tops.  Buying locally is not only cheaper but also eliminates the need to waste fuel transporting them (Straw Locator is a free service connecting people buying and selling) .  

Advantages:  Low cost construction, highly energy efficient, very fire resistant, Earth friendly.

Disadvantages:  If you're not a DYIer, you may have trouble finding someone to build it for you.  Also, not all insurance companies and local building inspectors are up on straw bale. 

See Department of Energy for a more thorough overview of straw bale housing and some of its history.

See Bale Watch for floor plans.  Houses can range in size and shape greatly.  Bale Watch has anywhere from 200 square feet up to a 10,000 ft2 bed n' breakfast.  

Recycling, Oh What a Classic

Everyone knows what recycling is.  Why not just do it?  Its extremely simple and some communities offer curb side pick up.  You keep all your crap out of the landfills and it gets to live again as something else.