Some of our country’s most beautiful places are also most vulnerable to pollution and environmental damage. That’s why this art project in Alaska is so cool. Kachemak Bay community members are turning ocean trash into eye-catching sculptures. The idea is to raise awareness about better ocean stewardship by without turning people off. You won’t believe the amazing sculptures that local residents have created with the Marine Debris Art Workshop, like a supersized Lion’s Mane jellyfish. Could something like this work where you live?
Source: Earth 911
Tag: Environmentalism
Soon Your Phone Will Be Able to Control Sunlight Refraction Through the Windows
Sunlight that bounces off the side of a building is wasted energy. At least, that’s how researchers at the University of Cincinnati think of it. They’re designing thin fluid-filled cells that, when applied to windows, can refract sunlight in any desired direction. If implemented correctly, these cells could replace most if not all artificial lights in, say, a 10-story office building. Excess energy could also be stored as electricity and used for internal power or sold to utility companies. The whole process could be controlled on your smart phone: swipe your finger and the sun’s rays will follow.
Sunlight that bounces off the side of a building is wasted energy. At least, that’s how researchers at the University of Cincinnati think of it. They’re designing thin fluid-filled cells that, when applied to windows, can refract sunlight in any desired direction. If implemented correctly, these cells could replace most if not all artificial lights in, say, a 10-story office building. Excess energy could also be stored as electricity and used for internal power or sold to utility companies. The whole process could be controlled on your smart phone: swipe your finger and the sun’s rays will follow.
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Sunlight that bounces off the side of a building is wasted energy. At least, that’s how researchers at the University of Cincinnati think of it. They’re designing thin fluid-filled cells that, when applied to windows, can refract sunlight in any desired direction. If implemented correctly, these cells could replace most if not all artificial lights in, say, a 10-story office building. Excess energy could also be stored as electricity and used for internal power or sold to utility companies. The whole process could be controlled on your smart phone: swipe your finger and the sun’s rays will follow.
Treehugger’s Nirvana Opens in Washington State
If your idea of paradise is a close-knit, carbon neutral, bike-sharing community, I’ve got a deal for you. A new planned community on Bainbridge Island, Washington called Grow Community has it all built in from the get-go.There are apartments and single-family homes, community gardens, and all the pleasures of Seattle just a short ferry ride away—even a community car-sharing program. Of course, most of us live in places that weren’t built green from the ground up, but Grow Community gives us a working model of what’s possible with time, knowledge and intention. Every town can be a little greener in ways that add up to big quality-of-life improvements. If you like what you see, check out the One Planet Living program that helped shape Grow Community.