Archives: eco & world
Barak Mabroek!
Barack Obama for president! De eerste zwarte president van de US. Een president die mensen liet hopen. Maar ook de eerste president die erin slaagde om met een budget dat hoofdzakelijk geronseld is via de grassroots, via de mensen, campagne te voeren.
Als er een ding zeker is, dan is het wel dat internet (Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, blogs, ...) bijgedragen zoniet de spil geweest is van het verkiezen van Barack Obama.
CNN heeft er een mooi stukje over:
Me dunkt dat je daar toch heel wat positievere dingen mee kon doen dan massahysterie opwekken.
In de onderstaande cijfers wordt al snel duidelijk dat er de helft meer werd gespendeerd aan campagnevoeren dan 4 en 8 jaar geleden.
Obama kon gewoon een uur reclame kopen op verschillende zenders...
Daarnaast was de opkomst om te stemmen massaal hoog bij jongeren. Wellicht ook te danken aan de influence online van filmpjes (zoals eerder op dit blog vertoond), en Facebook groepen die campagne voerden om te gaan stemmen.
En nu maar hopen dat hij het kan waarmaken.
Het is hoog tijd.
Het lijkt erop dat de Amerikanen daar toch wel weer zeer puriteins hebben gestemd: zelfs in California, de enigste staat waar homo's al konden trouwen, zou er negatief gestemd zijn, wat zou leiden tot de afschaffing van het homohuwelijk.
Posted on November 5, 2008
in eco & world, randomness
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Blogaction Dag vandaag
Vandaag is het Blog Action Day, en het onderwerp is, zoals je al kan lezen, armoede...
Blog Action day wil door een hele boel bloggers wereldwijd over hetzelfde te laten schrijven, de aandacht vestigen op een probleem. Ik ben echter van mening dat enkel schrijven niet echt genoeg is.
Doen is de boodschap.
Toen ik echter vanochtend een entrepeneur op Kiva wou indersteunen bleken alle intiatieven reeds 'gefund'
Er zijn nog mensen met hetzelfde idee :)
Dus zullen we volgende week van Blog Action Day doen, als er nieuwe projecten zijn.
Verder doen we een simpel ding: de kasten eens leegmaken en alle overbodige kleren en materiaal naar de kringloopwinkel brengen.
Onze tips voor goedkoop leven:
-Een tip voor freelancers: Ga eens gezellig werken in de Vooruit: zorgt voor omgevingsgeluid, eens iets anders dus inspirerend, en zorgt dat je het milieu wat minder belast, want je chauffage voor jou alleen hoeft niet te draaien. En het zorgt ook voor een niet onbelangrijke korting op je rekening.
-Loop eens naar de kringloop. Wij dumpen er bijtijd zelf een aantal dingen die meestal in een supergoeie staat is en vinder er vaak leuke hebbedingetjes voor werkelijk geen geld.
-Neem es wat vaker de fiets. Of de trein. De auto is echt niet altijd nodig.
-Ga op reis via Couchsurfing, en indien in een iets armere omgeving, trakteer de man/vrouw van de couch op een lekker etentje. Dank komt tot u.
Wat dit helpt aan armoedebestrijding in de wereld, vraagt u? Wel, dat wij er van overtuigd zijn dat de riem iets aantrekken geen kwaad kan, wat dat het evenwicht heel erg uit balans is en dat een beetje, heel klein beetje rechttrekken kan geen kwaad.
In ruil kan je (een deel van) de bespaarde centen investeren in iets anders.
Hoe wij dat doen?
Kiva.org bijvoorbeeld.
Een site onderhouden van een hulporganisatie in Palestina.
Of een stukje regenwoud kado doen aan vrienden ipv een nutteloos kadootje kopen. (Regenwoud kopen helpt ook de lokale bevolking die het moet onderhouden)
We overwegen verder ook een Plan Kindje. Voor 250 euro per jaar heb je er eentje, en die bleiten zelfs niet! ;)
Posted on October 15, 2008
in eco & world, randomness
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Think again.
Posted on October 6, 2008
in eco & world, linklove, marketing
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SOS Klimaat
Wat leest mijn lodder oog in de gazette?
Nic Balthazar , televisiemaker, wil op 10 augustus een videoclip inblikken waarmee hij de politici bewust wil maken van de ernst van het klimaatprobleem.
Na wat gegoogel krijg ik dit:
Friends of the Earth gaat samen met cineast Nic Baltazar een videoclip opnemen in de strijd tegen de klimaatsverandering onder de noemer "SOS Klimaat". Nic hoopt op zo'n 30 000 deelnemers.
De opnames vinden plaats op zondag 10 augustus tussen 14.00 en 21.00 uur tijdens een grote openluchtfuif met bekende DJ's zoals Gabriel Rios, Flip Kowlier, Adriaan Van den Hoof of Axel Daeseleire op het Klein Strand in Oostende.
Iedereen die bezorgd is om onze planeet is welkom!
Zorg dat je zo milieuvriendelijk mogelijk naar Oostende reist.
Note: 30.000 man op de trein die dag? Ik hoop dat de NMBS er rekening mee houdt...
Extra note: Ik ben geen fanatieke eco-aanhanger maar vind wel dat het hoog tijd wordt dat onze politici aan andere belangrijker 'dinges' denken dan aan hoe Belgie te splitsen of hoe te ruzien over details. En daaromtrent een signaal krijgt.
Ik weet niet wat u ervan vindt, maar ik vind verder ook dat ze dat loon van diezelfde politici gelijk helemaal mogen storten aan een of andere milieurampfonds, ofzo.
Ongelooflijk falen en dan nog eens extra lang vakantie pakken. Aan een loon waar u en ik van dromen. En met welke pretentie dat gebeurt.
Allen daarheen dus :)
Posted on August 4, 2008
in eco & world, linklove
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Wooden Radio with a mission
It's so retro looking, two tones of wood, and made by hand by carpenters in an Indonesian village with high unemployment. The designer Singgih Kartono wants to "redefine the relationship of the user between the product" and revitalize craft industries and local skills, while using local sustainable materials. Even the packaging is designed to be simple, minimal and reuseable for transporting the radio.
The designer decided he wanted to give work to an area with high unemployment.
Talk about eco, design and a mission :)
Posted on June 4, 2008
in design, eco & world, linklove
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Suzuki’s Green Machine
More green design, but in a motorcycle...
The good folks at Suzuki are serious about going green and have been spotted testing their latest concept, the Suzuki Crosscage Hydrogen Fuel Cell Motorcycle. With no gears, no noise, no clutch and no emissions, this hydrogen fuel cell / electric hybrid two-wheeler just might be the future of motorcycles and is closer to reality than you might think. Seriously, there is a guy riding one in these pictures, you won’t hear it coming, but it is.
I wonder when hybrid and hydrogen come to Europe...
Design: Suzuki
[Via http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/295929943/]
Posted on June 3, 2008
in design, eco & world
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The future today.
Kinda cool car, very retro yet future.
I love it. I want one (at 17.000 euro quite affordable, knowing that your expenses per km are reduced immensely.
One look at the Aptera, and you’d swear that it could fly. Coming off as a cross between a single engine Cessna and something George Jetson could be seen flying around in, this spectacular new breed of plug-in electronic hybrid vehicle sets our design obsessed, eco-friendly hearts aflutter. While this sweet ride may not be able to take to the friendly skies, it will save you a boatload of valuable gas money, getting over 230 miles per gallon. Not only does this awesome automobile set entirely new standards for environmental safety, but it does the same for passenger safety, employing a safety cage similar to that of a formula one racecar. It also contains an “eyes forward” vision system that gives the driver 180 degrees of rear sight. It may not be exactly ready to hit the road just yet, but for those living in California, you can reserve yours today. So if you inhabit the Golden State, want to be ahead of the environmental curve, and at the same time convince your neighbor that he or she overslept by about a hundred years, perhaps you should invest in an Aptera.
[From http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/urbanspy/~3/300009215/]Posted on June 3, 2008
in design, eco & world
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F* Luminus
I have been calling several times for the last 6 months...
Each time it turns out a horror, and I almost hung up on them twice.
First of all: we got a first summary of 415,48 euro in december.
Taking into account we started paying in September, that makes a electricity use of 415,48 in barely 2.5 month. Don't know what you have to do to have such use (no we don't watch flatscreen all day...)
Anyhow, turned out they made ahuge mistake: they didn't take into account our real meter numbers we provided them and so we had to pay extra for the former renters.
Boeee!
Secondly: We reported this in december and again in February and yesterday, May 14th!!, we got the correction. Still have to pay 273 euro, for 2.5 months. Try to understand it...
Third: their site, which contains a personal login and follow up of everything just gives plain errors. 'Forbidden'.
WTF.
Fourth: We're still awaiting a second bill, and I just gave up on them..
Luminus is said to be the cheapest.. Cough..
Frankly speaking, seeing the prices of electricity, I am just going to invest in Eco-Power and buy a share. I am sure that within 6 years it will be worth a whole lot more than 250 euro then.
Really!
Posted on May 14, 2008
in eco & world
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Re:vision Camera Cuffs
Kinda cool:
Australian designer Craig Arnold combined his passion for cameras and recycling to create Re:vision, a line of bracelets made by reshaping and polishing discarded cameras parts. The stylish hand-finished cuffs are available in eight models with themed names, like the Aperture cuff, Focal length cuff, Wide Focus cuff and Lens thread cuff.
The Re:vision Cuffs are available from Oye Modern and start at AU $190.
Posted on April 23, 2008
in design, eco & world
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Nokia Morph
I do like concepts like these. Blows your head away.
Posted on April 17, 2008
in design, eco & world
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Rainwater Hog
A nice and easy solution to collect rainwater.
"The Rainwater Hog (2006) is a small-scale modular storage tank for collecting rainwater that can be reused for watering plants, washing the car or whatever you need...The Hog can be installed vertically against a wall, or horizontally, and it's specifically sized to fit between structural frames. One unit holds 47 gallons of rainwater collected from a downspout, and if a larger capacity is needed, simply attach another Hog. A percentage of sales will go to the nonprofit Water Aid. Also in keeping with the eco-conscious Hog, is the fact that it ships without packaging. Other than a small box holding an Elbow Vent and Connector taped to the unit, the Hog arrives unwrapped, unboxed and just as you see it pictured. A Leaf Catcher/Outlet Kit must be purchased (sold separately) for the Hog. (Subsequent Hogs can be added without needing extra Leaf Catcher/Outlet Kits.) A Wall-Mounting Kit is also available for vertical installation."
I admit, I especially see the use for it on travelling vans ;)
[Via http://www.betterlivingthroughdesign.com/2008/03/rainwater_hog.html]
Posted on March 30, 2008
in eco & world, linklove
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Noon Solar Announces Spring 2008 Collection of Bags
I have been looking for a ecological way to load my mobile and ipod.I already found the simple solar panels, but this solar bag is a better solution: the panels are built in, so they don't take extra space. You can arrive at work and put the bag near sunlight (even if cloudy) and it will charge the internal battery.A pity they're sold out, and a fancier design would fit them better.
Noon Solar is releasing a new collection in April. So hurry to check them out :)
[Via http://feeds.treehugger.com/~r/treehuggersite/~3/259290573/noon-solar-spring-bags.php]
Posted on March 30, 2008
in eco & world, linklove
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Travelling Van
C already referred to our travelling dreams. Yesterday, while doing some research on eco and travelling, I stumbled upon the Westfalia Verdier Solar Power.
Not enough for longtime trips, but certainly enough for spending 2 weeks, or even 3.
With its hybrid engine (fuel, or diesel + electric), its solar panels, its use of bamboo, it's the almost perfect eco car.
Adding the wireless internet connection, it certainly reaches nr 1 in my top list of geeky things I want.
Unfortunately still a concept rather than reality.
But with a distinct pricing.
At 69000$ still a dream, yet not impossible.
(Notice also the different pricing: Verdier aims at an Airmodel of 38000$ and a Base model of 26000$)
Posted on March 28, 2008
in design, eco & world
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Earthhour 2008
Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.
About Earth Hour
On March 31 2007, for one hour, Sydney made a powerful statement about the greatest contributor to global warming – coal-fired electricity – by turning off its lights. Over 2.2 million Sydney residents and over 2,100 businesses switched off, leading to a 10.2% energy reduction across the city. What began as one city taking a stand against global warming caught the attention of the world.
In 2008, 24 global cities will participate in Earth Hour at 8pm on March 29. Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their emissions on an ongoing basis. It is about simple changes that will collectively make a difference – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty, to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby.
Posted on March 27, 2008
in eco & world
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SMOG Alert
We left way too late, and the news warned us for more to come: SMOG alert and a max of 90km/h.
Yet, to our surprise, no huge traffic jams, no hours delay.
Actually, the only surprise came when we discovered we arrived around the same time as on other days.
SMOG Alert rocks.
Posted on February 18, 2008
in eco & world
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Lomo LC-A Buy-out.
They're taking old broken cams back, for 100 euro, to be spent in their shop.
Knowing that htese cams costed a 150 euro back when, it's a good bargain for a broken camera I think.
And a perfect way to show your customers that you're addicted to your own stuff, and eco friendly on top of that. (And probably able to make a lot of money out of it too...)
Posted on January 31, 2008
in eco & world, gizmo, linklove
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Sustainable Writer’s Retreat
It’s easy to see how inspiration takes hold in ‘Watershed’ - a 100 square foot writer’s retreat in Oregon that is as sustainable as it is engaging. Commissioned by a well-known nature writer and designed by FLOAT architectural research and design, this small-scale project fulfills its intention of revealing the surrounding ecology while allowing observation without disturbance. Completely recyclable and constructed with an ultra-light footprint, ‘Watershed’ does well by its name.
I wouldn't mind sitting in this shed for some days... I might end up with some interesting blog posts... ;)
[From PREFAB FRIDAY: ‘Watershed’ Sustainable Writer’s Retreat]
Posted on January 21, 2008
in design, eco & world
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Innertube bags
Dutch bag designers krejci produces bags and accessories all made from recycled inner tubes and
felt. The rubber tubbing is sourced from bike tires and air mattresses and makes their bags extremely durable.
The company uses environmentally conscious production methods, having each bag hand-made at a sewing shop in Warsaw, Poland.
[From innertube bags by krejci]
Posted on January 20, 2008
in design, eco & world, linklove
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WWF fishmen out in the wild
Usually it's Greenpeace or Gaia who come out and grab our attention by using stunts. This time it's World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly known as World Wildlife Fund) and to my knowledge that's a first. WWF Belgium has just launched their new awareness campaign, based around a tool called Climate Impact Reducer. It teaches people how they can stop climate change (aka global weirdness) by doing small things every day. The counter on the right hand side of this post shows how the meme is catching on.
To kick off the campaign, fishmen like the one you can see in the pic showed up at Brussels Midi train station. Anyone got pictures of the fishmen in action? Their Flickr campaign set doesn't have them yet, and neither does their official campaign website or the WWF YouTube channel. What I want to know is: how did commuters react? Did they confuse it with the recent Music For Life campaign by Studio Brussel, which was also based around the theme "water" (but with a completely different angle)? [From WWF fishmen out in the wild]
Posted on December 28, 2007
in eco & world, linklove
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The Personal Podcar
The future is now...
Travelers to London are in for a green transportation treat when traveling from terminal to terminal. The ULTra PRT, by Advanced Transport Systems LTD, is a Personal Rapid Transit vehicle which has the potential to change the way that we travel within cities (and more specifically, airports in this case) around the world. The four-person vehicle itself is battery powered and centrally-controlled (no need for human drivers!), moving on its own elevated guided lane within the airport.
Technorati Tags: london, pesonal podcar, ultra prt
Posted on November 7, 2007
in eco & world
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Friendship makes you smile :)
High kuddle alert, but admit you wouldn't expect these to hug. Makes me wonder what is in their mind...
Technorati Tags: love, friendship
Posted on October 17, 2007
in eco & world, linklove
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Stop. Think. Change.
Technorati Tags: blog action day
Posted on October 15, 2007
in eco & world
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SpudWare Cutlery made from potatoes
Say goodbye to plastic cutlery and hello to SpudWare cutlery made from 80% potato starch and 20% soy oil that's just as heat resistant and every bit as strong as plastic cutlery. The kicker? It biodegrades in just 180 days! SpudWare can even be washed and reused, so you can eat your potatoes with potatoes for months to come.
Technorati Tags: blog action day, cutlery, plastic
Posted on October 15, 2007
in design, eco & world
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Thoughts of the day: How would a museum show today's left overs?
This is what a museum might look like in the 61th century...
You might think twice when buying those Pampers...
Think about how your great great great grandchildren will wonder how we ever dared to make diapers in plastic.
Eco friendly diapers do exist by now, but are they a good alternative.
Back to cloth that is?
pic via Johnsonbanks thoughts
Technorati Tags: blog action day, diapers
Posted on October 15, 2007
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Thoughts of the day: Plastic you pay for
It was something bothering me a lot when living in Israel: in each store, at each place they want to give you a bag. When going to the market, you ended up with at least 4 bags in different colors...
I guess we are not doing so bad over here when it comes to recycling (yep, we have to hand in our garbage in different bags: real garbage, glass, plastic, paper are all separately collected)
In Belgium, recently all supermarkets started to charge for their plastic bags.
In return they offer (more expensive, yet) durable bags to use several times.
The shopping bag of our grandma in a new look...
I think the supermarkets are pretty happy with this measurement: no longer tons of money they have to pay for, heck they even get paid for it.
And I still wonder why it took so long. Because the consumer doesn't mind. Everybody now just takes a reusable shopping bag along.
And you?
Technorati Tags: plastic, world blog day
Posted on October 15, 2007
in eco & world
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In the mailbox: Another Open House Day
"Beste,
Op 20 en 21 oktober 2007 vinden de jaarlijkse Open Huizendagen plaats. Meer dan vijftig laagenergiewoningen en passiefhuizen in Vlaanderen openen hun deuren voor bouwers en verbouwers. Een gevarieerd aanbod met rijhuizen, appartementen en vrijstaande woningen die elk op hun eigen manier energie besparen.
In anderhalf tot twee uur durende workshops laten de huiseigenaars je de talrijke voordelen van energievriendelijk bouwen en verbouwen ervaren, zien, horen, ruiken en voelen. De workshops starten telkens om 10 uur en/of om 14 uur.
Geïnteresseerd in een bezoek aan een passiefhuis of een laagenergiewoning? Surf dan snel naar www.openhuizendagen.be. Vanaf nu vind je er een overzicht van alle woningen en kan je je inschrijven. Inschrijven kan ook via sofie.van.den.bogaert@bblv.be of op 02/282.17.46
De Open Huizenmagazines met allerlei interessante artikels rond de materie zijn vandaag reeds beschikbaar op bouwbeurzen (BIS-beurs), in bibliotheken en culturele centra en bij bouw- en milieudiensten van de gemeenten."
Hah, architecture and eco. Just love it.
Perfect for the builders amongst you.
(We just have no house to build at this moment ;) )
PS: when browsing the list I spotted a nice house in Kuurne (8520), and one in Heusden - Destelbergen (9070), but you'll have to hurry up, as all 'nicely designed' houses are definitely favored.
PPS: Good to know: The Ecohouse in Antwerp houses a permanent exhibition and info on ecological building.
Technorati Tags: building, ecological, environment, house, OpenHuizendagen
Posted on October 8, 2007
in eco & world
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Prefab: Drop House
The Drop House landed on the prefab scene after winning the Modular Architecture Challenge in 2005 with its gorgeous aesthetic and easily-customizable system. A partial prototype was installed at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris at the time, and now, the stunning structure has been brought to life in full form. Architects Antoine Cordier, Olivier Charles and Armel Neouze created the Drop House concept to exemplify private housing, industry and customization.The design is turning heads for its potential to minimize waste, reduce energy and settle in style with the option to move on a whim.
Technorati Tags: design, prefab
Posted on October 5, 2007
in design, eco & world
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Carter Burton Yoga Studio
What yoga does for the mind and soul, this thoughtfully-designed yoga studio does for its lucky green-minded inhabitants. Situated outside Washington DC in Clark County, Virginia, and designed by Carter + Burton Architecture, the small scale structure serves as a yoga studio and guest house for Annie and Paul Mahon's main house 100 feet away. Despite its compact 600 square foot footprint, the studio packs in the best of the best of green technologies, from SIP-based construction to geothermal, passive solar, locally-sourced materials, green roof, and LED lighting. The clients' and designers' commitment to sustainability earned the project a LEED Gold certification when it was completed in 2007.
Technorati Tags: green eco housing
Posted on September 19, 2007
in design, eco & world
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'Saving Seeds'
![P1000601 Copy [1]](http://www.monuments.nu/P1000601%20copy%20%5B1%5D.jpg)
'Saving Seeds' is a project started by some enthousiastics.
Prof Van Cottem, consultant for Unicef, is gathering as much seeds as possible for little gardens in fugutive camps in the Sahara in Algeria.
It's a simple way to collect your seeds of peppers, eggplants, avocado's, and others, dry them and send them to the professor.
In February 2008 these seeds will be planted to ensure a food supplement for the local inhabitants.
Why Prof Van Cottem doesn't want to work with seeds suppliers you're probably wondering.
Because of business interests.
So don't throw those pits, send them to Beeweg 36 B 9080 Zaffelare
Info on their blog (in Dutch)
Technorati Tags: algeria, seeds for food
Posted on September 16, 2007
in eco & world, linklove
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On my wishlist: Off the Grid Homes: Case Studies for Sustainable Living
Six rather large contemporary residential architecture projects that integrate alternative technologies for generating and conserving energy are featured in Off the Grid Homes (from "somewhat on the grid" to "completely off the grid"). By the same author as Off the Grid: Modern Home + Alternative Energy, this book delves into different aspects of energy and resource independence, from rainwater collection, to photovoltaic (PV) systems, to gray-water systems and more. The case studies have lots of diagrams and explanations of technologies and their applications in context. Interesting factoid from the publisher, "A recent study found that after 15 years, an increase in America's alternative-energy investment would create almost 150,000 jobs, increase wages nearly $7 billion, reduce carbon-dioxide emissions roughly 30 percent and save close to $30 billion in electric and gas bills.". Paperback, 128 pages, well illustrated, $14.93 at Amazon. P.S. If you want small and off the grid, there's always the miniHome
Posted on August 28, 2007
in design, eco & world
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B_E_E
Wonderful designed bottles for green environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies Beauty Engineered for Ever, or B_E_E, has nailed it! The New Zealand-based claims they will stand up with the best of the bunch.
I would buy them...
Technorati Tags: eco, environmentally-friendly, BEE
Posted on August 22, 2007
in eco & world
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Viking destroys the rainforest
VikingDirect is a true delight to order stuff for work: ink, paper, even Coca Cola gets ordered and arrives the next day on your doorstep.
Free of delivery charge.
One big downside: they send you twice a year a big catalogue and each two weeks another 'folder' which appears like a mini catalogue in size.
I only order when I need something, and online. So no need to destroy half a rain forest a year.
So I mailed them to unsubscribe to their folders.
Same story as here and here, unsubscribed myself as well.
It is a pity to see that we unsubscribed to useless advertisement by putting a 'no to ads sticker' on the mailbox, yet, our folders just get dropped on top of the mailboxes...
Similar stories? Don't hesitate to give tips.
Technorati Tags: eco, goudengids, vikingdirect
Posted on August 21, 2007
in eco & world
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The Beitcher Residence
The gorgeously green Beitcher Residence is a paragon of sustainable California architecture, showcasing a design partnership between eco-conscious client and forward-thinking architect. Designed by W3 Architects out of Venice, California, the Beitcher Residence blends the client's functional requirements with a variety of sustainable design strategies including passive solar design, state-of-the-art solar electric and solar thermal technologies. Nicknamed 'The Integrated Solar House for Los Angeles', the Beitcher Residence makes full use of the mild climate and the year round sun in the City of Angels.
Posted on August 6, 2007
in design, eco & world
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Israeli in Beirut
It must have been quite shocking for Hezbollah to notice an Israeli journalist made it into Beirut. They spread the word she's Mossad.
I guess many people watched the popular channel 10, to see this interview, as they always wonder how daily life looks like in Lebanon. Lisa Goldman did a daring job going out there as a jew.
Few years back, after visiting Lebanon, I told my Israeli friends Beirut looks like what Tel Aviv wants to be.
It still seems like that, and actually it is good to here an Israeli say 'It looks like Tel Aviv'.
On top of that her interview gives hope 'I didn't experience the anti semitism I was expecting.' and the final note reveals that today Beirut is populated by people who not necessarily support Hezbollah anymore. Nice.
(Lisa's a journalist and blogger. We are in touch once in a while and I really like her reports. What's interesting in this story is she went there because of the fact she made friends as a blogger.)
Technorati Tags: beirut, interview, israel, lisa goldman, politics
Posted on July 29, 2007
in eco & world
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Wind Power
Pioneering wind-power engineers are looking to take wind turbines to new heights:15,000-30,000 feet in the air!
Harvesting just 1% of the energy from jet-stream winds could produce enough power for everybody on the planet!
Sky WindPower and Magenn Power are just two of the companies in the race to develop flying generators for high-altitude winds.
via
Technorati Tags: eco, energy, wind turbines
Posted on July 17, 2007
in eco & world
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Another Black Sunday...
It is truly sad to see how people become conservative once things go well in your country.
I think we forget how lucky we are to live in Belgium, not to live in a country in war, or in a poor country. A country with social rights, with decent health and social security. With pensions that aren't that bad, when you compare it to the nearing countries.
It indeed proves that Flemish people are narrow minded, and conservative when it comes to sharing.
Heck, for whatever we have, 98% of the others are poor. Poor as in: no 14.000 euro on a bank account.
Today I am tempted to become an expat again.
Truly...
Technorati Tags: politics, right narrow minded
Posted on June 10, 2007
in eco & world, randomness
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Global tipping point within 10 years
The global warming issue is really starting to heat up. In a startling article from abcnews.com, author Bill Blakemore brings to light NASA and Columbia University Earth Institute has recently conducted study that verifiably asserts that with just 10 more years of business as usual, it becomes impractical to avoid disastrous effects.
The forecast, as articulated by the study's lead author, James Hansen of NASA, sounds like the worst parts of the Bible, predicting everything from increasingly rapid sea-level rise, increased frequency of droughts and floods, and increased stress on wildlife and plants due to rapidly shifting climate zones.
The 10-year timeframe shows other recent climate studies to have underestimated the urgency of the window in which we can make significant changes.
Another reason not to make a baby... :)
More: NASA PUTS GLOBAL WARMING Tipping Point Within 10 Years
Technorati Tags: doomed, eco, world
Posted on June 1, 2007
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What happened to us?
Technorati Tags: humanity, wtf
Posted on May 29, 2007
in eco & world
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Right now...
Posted on May 19, 2007
in eco & world
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