June 28th, 2010 by Editor
International law has failed to protect coral reefs and tropical fish from being decimated by a growing collectors market, but US reforms can lead the way towards making the trade more responsible, ecologically sustainable and humane, according to a group of 18 experts.
By sciencedaily.com
Found on the net by our news bot
June 24th, 2010 by Editor
As theSolar Decathloncompetition comes to a head in Madrid, the leaders of the pack have emerged! The amazing Armadillo Box by the French team fromÉcole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Grenoblehas been holding steady as a top competitor for the entire week. Right now the adorably-named Armadillo Box is in third place behind theUniversity of Rosenheim IKAROS Houseand the leader from the US –Virginia Polytechnic’s Lumenhaus. The competition is heating up — will the Armadillo Box’s energy-efficient exterior and cool interior put a damper on theLumenhaus’ high-tech shifting facade? Only this weekend will tell!
Read the rest ofSun-Powered Armadillo Box House Closes in on Solar Decathlon Prizehttp://www.inhabitat.com/wp-admin/ohttp://www.inhabitat.com/wp-admin/options-general.php?page=better_feedptions-general.php?page=better_feed
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Post tags:2010 solar decathlon,armadillo box,eco design,ecole nationale superieure d’architecture de grenoble,energy efficient home,europe solar decathlon,france,Green Building,green design,grenoble school of architecture,madrid,pv,rainwater collection,Solar Decathlon,solar home,Solar Power,Sustainable Building,Zero energy
By Bridgette Meinhold
Found on the net by our news bot
June 22nd, 2010 by Editor
You’ve no doubt heard about charitabledo-goodingendeavors such asTOM’SOne For Oneprogramwhich donates a brand new pair of shoes to a child in need for each pair that you purchase or theOne Laptop Per Childinitiative which follows the same basic generosity premise. Thebuy-one-get-one-freephilosophy is also regularly available at grocery stores across the nation, but why should food, laptops and shoes have all the fun?
Mathew GersonandMark Kreloff, noting that a mere 10% of the global demand for free condoms is met on an annual basis, decided that they would focus on offering an ethically produced product made from 100% biodegradable, Fair Trade certified latex that would bestow every person with the basic human right to enjoy safe sex. The result of their efforts has been dubbedSir Richard’s, an FDA certified prophylactic which will make vegans leap for joy due to its lack of milk protein-based casein which is traditionally used to process latex.
Intent on empowering consumers with a responsible contraceptive that arms them with personal safety, Sir Richard’s condomstake things to the next levelsince each purchase is backed with the donation of a comparable condom to health-focused organizations located in Uganda, Haiti and Thailand committed to thwarting the spread of STDs. Unlike the US version – which is packaged in a striking plaid wrap that is designed to appeal to the college, female and gay populations – the international versions will be culturally rebranded so that local recipients will feel more comfortable using them.
Despite having to adhere to FDA regulations regarding individual Mylar wrappers (which are not recyclable), the company will place multiple condoms in a recyclable cardboard box which could, in the future, be embedded with wildflower seedsif things go according to plan. Ultimately, they hope that by offering their slick looking, eco-sensitive product in somewhat hipster-friendly forums such as American Apparel and Anthropologie, they will slowly but surely pave the way for more widespread acceptance and a far better level of consumer comfort.
ViaDaily Camera
By Elizah Leigh
Found on the net by our news bot
June 19th, 2010 by Editor
It’s game time forKevin Costner’scentrifuges.
After more than 58 days of discussions, testing, tweaking, and other red tape nightmares, three of the actor’s Ocean Therapy devices were loaded onto a barge today. As soon as tomorrow, they’ll be put to work in the Gulf, separating oil from water at the rate of some 600,000 gallons/day.
At a Senate hearing Thursday,Costner saidthat he envisions his devices being used as a first line of defense — and stationed in “key harbors, bays, ports, oil transport and shipping boats, and on oil rigs – in other terms, anywhere where oil can come into contact with water – oceans, lakes and rivers.”
He also lamented the indifference given his technology by Big Oil saying, “Between 1994 and 2004 we contacted every major oil company in the US in an attempt to gain their awareness and support for a technology that could both protect them and the environment in the event of a spill. The most apt word to characterize these interactions was apathy.”
Needless to say, he’s got their attention now. BP hopes to have 29 additional centrifuges from Costner’s company in place and in action by August 1st.
By Michael d’Estries
Found on the net by our news bot
June 17th, 2010 by Editor
The rigorous survey-based nationwide study of US adults aware of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico found that Republicans, Democrats and Independents strongly agree that the spill shows that businesses need to be more socially responsible and they agree that socially responsible corporations can also create a lot of wealth for their shareholders.
By sciencedaily.com
Found on the net by our news bot
June 12th, 2010 by Editor
The U.K. government could save more than £300M (US$433.6 million) and about 60,000 tonnes of carbon over the next three years by banning ‘unnecessary’ business flights.
By Luke Walsh
Found on the net by our Eco Business News Bot
June 9th, 2010 by Editor
As we’ve reported inearlier articles, BP has been trying tocontain a portion of the oilthat’s been leaking into the Gulf of Mexico in what is being called thebiggest oil spill in US history. Even though they’re collecting it, they aren’t sure what the heck to do with all of it. One idea? How about burning it using a device (very ironically) called anEverGreen Burner? We can’t say that we’ve done much research into setting petroleum on fire in the middle of the ocean, but it doesn’t sound like the greenest idea to us…
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Post tags:BP,british petroleum,burn oil,coast guard,deepwater horizon,evergreen,evergreen burner,Gulf,gulf coast,Gulf oil spill,halliburton,key riser pipe,obama,of mexico,oil spill,oil spill solutions,riser pipe cut,schlumberger
By Yuka Yoneda
Found on the net by our news bot
May 23rd, 2010 by Editor
It’s a shoe filledSundayfor us here at Inhabitat. But with so many awesome kicks out there, we just can’t help it! This week were giving away a pair of limited editionAliveShoesto one lucky reader. Not only are they ethically produced and made from organic cotton, but this everyday sneak was once a part of the awesome installation “On the Run” by German artist Susanne Neumann. Worth €150 (US$185), these sneakers come with their own storied history, a unique identification number, and an illustrated rendering of the artwork it belonged to. Enter to win your pair today!
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By Diane Pham
Found on the net by our news bot
May 19th, 2010 by Editor
We’ve had so many factories shut down in the US over the past few decades that we just didn’t know what to do with them. Well, now someone does.President Obamawas in Youngstown, Ohio yesterday at the V&M Star — a tubular production facility — to announce his plan to fund therepurposingof abandoned GM factories intonew and useful buildings. The fund will be $800 million dollars strong and it will go towards cleaning up environmental hazards in abandoned factories. The communities will be able to choose what the factories should become — whether it be office buildings, community orgreen spaceor just new factories!
Read the rest ofPresident Obama Allocates $800 Million to Repurpose Old GM Factorieshttp://www.inhabitat.com/wp-admin/ohttp://www.inhabitat.com/wp-admin/options-general.php?page=better_feedptions-general.php?page=better_feed
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Post tags:cleanup,community service,Environment,general motors,GM,OHIO,old factory,president obama,Recycle,repurpose,stimulus plan,youngstown
By Brit Liggett
Found on the net by our news bot
May 17th, 2010 by Editor
(photo credit: Amanda Nelson Photography)
The first certifiedPassive Housein Salt Lake City also happens to be the first certified Passive House in the Western US. The Breezeway House, designed byBrach Design Architectureand Illinois-basedPassive House Institutewas recently completed in December of 2009, and is now only 1 of 10 houses in the US to be certified under this super efficient green building certification program!
Read the rest ofFirst Certified Passive House Ever in the Western US!http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-admin/ohttp://www.inhabitat.com/wp-admin/options-general.php?page=better_feedptions-general.php?page=better_feed
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Post tags:“energy efficiency”,brach design architecture,dave brach,eco design,eco-friendly home,energy efficient home,Green Building,green design,green residence,passive architecture,passive design,passive house,passive house standard,passivhaus,residence,solar passive design,solar system
By Bridgette Meinhold
Found on the net by our news bot
