Earlier this month, we told you about UncommonGoods’ open design contest, looking for the next great eco-friendly invention. This week, the judges of the YouGoods contest, including TreeHugger founder Graham Hill, chose three finalists, based on the criteria that they be “unique, economical, and eco-friendly.”

Still in the running are: a reusable grocery bag with a built-in dry-erase shopping list, a double-wall t… Read the full story on TreeHugger

“Climate change is real,” BMX legend Dave Mirra says, “It affects everything from snow quality to quality of life.” Indeed, as Protect the 360° explains, “climate change doesn’t just mean warmer weather.” Now, from skate parks to ski slopes, action-sports athletes and enthusiasts are banding together to make a difference—and you can join them…. Read the full story on TreeHugger

“Where a new invention promises to be useful,” Thomas Jefferson said, “it ought to be tried.” To celebrate National Inventor’s Month, UncommonGoods is offering an opportunity to put this idea to the test.

YouGoods is an open design contest that calls on inventors and designers to submit their best idea for something that is practical, unique, and eco-friendly. Entrants have … Read the full story on TreeHugger

How do you interpret “Eco Fashion” style in your everyday life? Come up with the best graphic answer and you could win a piece of a €3,000-prize pot! Vogue and Fiat have launched a competition to design a bike helmet for the Fiat 500 folding bike, which fits in the truck of the 2-cylind… Read the full story on TreeHugger

In January, we told you about Pepsi’s Refresh Everything initiative, giving away $20 million in grants to individuals, businesses and non-profits that are working for change in six categories: health, arts and culture, food and shelter, the planet, neighborhoods, and education. The grants are awarded by popular vote: ev… Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Earth may be our home but disasters like oil spills and threats like deforestation and global warming mean that it might not be such a hospitable place for much longer. Still, in the face of these obvious problems, many people refuse to recognize the need for immediate action.

the CoolClimate Art Contest is an opportunity to reach out to those who ignore the problem or Read the full story on TreeHugger

We’re seeing a boost in partnerships between software and hardware companies when it comes to monitoring energy consumption at home. The latest partnership joins up Microsoft’s Hohm, an online platform for managing energy use, and Blue Line, which offers a power monitor and Wifi unit that can now be combined to upload your home’s energ… Read the full story on TreeHugger

Last year, Enviu, known for the sustainable dance floor and club, launched the Open Source House project, a platform to share much needed sustainable and affordable housing solutions. The goal of their first competition, in which 3100 architects participated, was to design an affordable, flexible and sustainable house for people living in poor housing conditions in Ghana. Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF) is accepting applications for the 2010 Innovation Award, an annual sustainable design competition and, along with The Fairtrade Foundation, they have launched a new category sponsored by Tesco: The Fairtrade Cotton Award. If you are an aspiring green designer or if you are established and want to broaden your audience, this is the competition for you. Click through for details, deadlines(!), and view photo… Read the full story on TreeHugger

Air-drying clothing is definitely the cheapest, and especially the most eco-friendly way of drying your clothes; no energy or machinery is needed. However, if you live in a small space, a rainy country or simply are a busy (or forgetful) person, line-drying can be a little impractical, or even, banned by the authorities depending on where you live (see video Drying for Freedom)! Levi’s wants us to come up with a solution and will launch the Read the full story on TreeHugger