March 12th, 2010 by Editor

Researchers have discovered that the bacterium Cupriavidus basilensis breaks down harmful by-products which are produced when sugars are released from wood. They also managed to incorporate the degradation process in bacteria which are in common industrial use. This breakthrough does away with the need to resort to costly and environmentally unfriendly methods for removing by-products, thereby boosting the appeal of waste wood as a sustainable resource for biochemicals and biofuels.
By sciencedaily.com
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bacteria, bacterium, biochemicals, biofuels, Cupriavidus, degradation, eco, Green, Healthy, lifestyle, new planet, process, sustainability, Sustainable, sustainable resource, wood

March 12th, 2010 by Editor

TheWinter Olympicsare over and amongst the medals and trouncing the US at hockey, Vancouver was praised for hosting the “greenest Olympics ever” withLEED certified buildings, the use of recaptured gas and the construction of a hydrogen highway. However, London looks set to raise the bar even higher with plans to blow Vancouver’s achievements out of the water in 2012. The London Olympic Authority have stated that they are aiming to makeLondon 2012the first sustainable Olympic Games, setting a precedent for future events.

Read the rest ofWill London 2012 be ‘The Green Olympics’?

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By Timon
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March 12th, 2010 by Editor

Phosphorus is just as important to agriculture as water. But a lack of availability and accessibility of phosphorus is an emerging problem that threatens our capacity to feed the global population. Like nitrogen and potassium, it is a nutrient that plants take up from the soil and it is crucial to soil fertility and crop growth.
By sciencedaily.com
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agriculture, crop growth, eco, global population, Green, Healthy, lack, lifestyle, new planet, Phosphorus, potassium, soil, soil fertility, sustainability, Sustainable, water

March 12th, 2010 by Editor

The USGeologicalSurvey has said thatCaliforniahas a 99.7% chance of having a magnitude 6.7earthquake— or bigger — in the next three decades. University ofCalifornia, Berkeley Professor and formerArchitectureDepartment Chair Mary Comerio says that, “California is probably the best-prepared place in the world,” but there are stillpreventative measuresto be taken. She’s trying to bring the green community, architects and the construction industry together to lobby for retrofit laws for old buildings that are at risk.

Read the rest ofArchitects Tell Californians to Brace for the Next Big Earthquake

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By Brit Liggett
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March 11th, 2010 by Editor

Escalating use of nitrogen fertilizer is increasing algal blooms and global warming, but a recent discovery by researchers could begin to reverse that. They have revealed a key step in how symbiotic bacteria living in legumes turn nitrogen into plant food, which could be used to improve the process in some plants, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
By sciencedaily.com
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algal, algal blooms, chemical fertilizers, eco, Escalating, fertilizer, Green, Healthy, lifestyle, new planet, nitrogen, nitrogen fertilizer, plant food, sustainability, Sustainable, symbiotic bacteria, use

March 11th, 2010 by Editor

Due to a bad drought that’s dried up thehydroelectricplants that supply more than two-thirds of its power, Venezuela has been suffering through its worst energy crisis in the last 50 years. PresidentHugo Chavez’s solution? Change all the light bulbs! Well, that might not be the only action the country is taking (they’ve also put electricity rationing into effect) but an army of Venezuelan soldiers has been given direct orders from the president to distribute thousands of Firefly energy-efficientCFL bulbs. The big switcheroo may not make it rain, but the president sure hopes that it can cut the energy his citizens consume in the meantime.

Read the rest ofHugo Chavez Sends Army to Change All Lights in Venezuela to CFLs

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By Yuka Yoneda
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March 11th, 2010 by Editor

The UK’s main public funders of food-related research and training will today (11 March) join together to launch a new program aimed at meeting the challenge of providing the world’s growing population with a sustainable, secure supply of good quality food using less land and fewer resources. The organizations will work together through a new program — Global Food Security — to coordinate and align their research interests. By working together to develop strategy and identify shared goals the partners aim to harness the country’s world-leading research base to help to deliver healthy, sustainable food for all.
By sciencedaily.com
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March 11th, 2010 by Editor

Last week we reported on theEPA’s upcoming plansto regulategreenhouse gas emissions. Yesterday 18 United Statesgovernorsincluding Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty sent a letter to the EPA to protest the upcoming regulations. The governors are worried about the EPA’s ability to properly oversee the regulations as well as the potential cost on industry and the states’ governments in light of our frail economy.

Read the rest of18 US Governors Write to EPA to Say Emissions Limits Will Hurt the Economy

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By Brit Liggett
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March 10th, 2010 by Editor

Escalating use of nitrogen fertilizer is increasing algal blooms and global warming, but a recent discovery by researchers could begin to reverse that. They have revealed a key step in how symbiotic bacteria living in legumes turn nitrogen into plant food, which could be used to improve the process in some plants, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
By sciencedaily.com
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algal, algal blooms, chemical fertilizers, eco, Escalating, fertilizer, Green, Healthy, lifestyle, new planet, nitrogen, nitrogen fertilizer, plant food, sustainability, Sustainable, symbiotic bacteria, use

March 10th, 2010 by Editor

Inhabitat readershuffprojectsrecently wrote in to tell us about this green office complex they designed for their clientsR. B. Murray and Co.Here at Inhabitat we have been referring to this beautiful building as the Butterfly House because it features a distinguishedbutterfly roofthat opens to allow a maximum amount of daylight into the building’s open offices, executive core, and conference rooms. This roof has greatly reduced the need for artificial lighting during the day. As for the other green aspects of this project they intend to use natural, recycled and reclaimed materials, and the building’s design featuresnatural ventilation,air filtration, and abundant views of the landscape. Such features have the added benefit of improving the quality of the work environment and employee productivity.

The building will exhibit a warm aesthetic that is pleasing to both occupants and those passing by. The new R.B. Murray Company office building signifies the company’s forward thinking commitment to creating an architecturally progressive and environmentally conscious future.

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