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Industrial design takes cues from bugs, leaves, crabs
 Scientists call it biomimicry when human-made designs are inspired by nature. Though it's not mainstream quite yet, biomimicry is a fast-growing field of research and development in corporate and academic environments because some believe it could help solve global energy problems, reduce waste and promote sustainability. Link to Story Link | 0 comments The Eco-Advantage Introducing the Green 50, a collection of entrepreneurial companies that are showing what it means to run good businesses, attack the most pressing problems of our time--and make serious cash along the way. Every few years or so, American companies and consumers embrace the concept of green business. But something seems different about our current green awakening. This time, the action is being driven as much by markets as morality. Here's a look at 50 of the most intriguing companies that are helping to drive today's green revolution.  From Inc.com Link | 0 comments Garbage-to-gas system makes its debut The University of California at Davis on Tuesday formally unveiled a digester that converts food scraps and other garbage into natural gas and methane. The gases can then be converted to electricity. The system, developed by the university and Onsite Power Systems, is essentially a sealed network of tubes and chambers where bacteria consume leftovers and then excrete gases. It can convert about eight tons of garbage a week and will eventually process eight tons a day, the university said. A ton of garbage provides enough electricity to power 10 average California homes for a day.  Link to Story Link | 0 comments Never mind altruism: 'Saving the earth' can mean big bucks As the international community faces costs in the trillions to address climate change, businessmen are increasingly becoming aware that changing the world - its fuels, technologies, energy sources, and waste disposal practices - can be an opportunity as well as a cost. For small- and medium-sized British companies, it could mean $55 billion worth of business opportunities over the coming decade, according to a new report commissioned by oil giant Shell UK. And globally, the market could be worth $1 trillion over the next five years, the report found. Such conclusions challenge President Bush's assertion that adopting the Kyoto Protocol, which compels signatories to cut greenhouse gases, would seriously damage America's economy. Link to Story Link | 0 comments Clutter Free Recycling  Maybe part of the reason that people don't recycle is because of the mess and clutter that gathers whilst waiting for the trip to the recycling centre or the day that it all goes outside. Here's a sleek, good looking way to store all those carefully collected aluminium cans, glass jars, papers and plastic bottles that are rolling around in the kitchen cupboard. The ecopod e1 is essentially a crusher: drop a can or plastic bottle into the hole on the top, step on the pedal and the container is compacted for easier storage. via: Treehugger Link | 0 comments War Climates Jeffery Sachs of the Earth Institute at Columbia University calls for governments across the globe to establish Ministries of Sustainable Development, devoted full-time to managing the linkages between environmental change and human well-being. With rising populations, economic growth and climate change, we will face intensifying droughts, hurricanes and typhoons, powerful El Nino's, water stress, heat waves, species extinctions and more. The "soft" issues of environment and climate will become the hard and strategic issues of the 21st century. Yet there is almost no recognition of this basic truth in our governments or our global politics. People who speak about hunger and environmental crises are viewed as muddle-headed "moralists," as opposed to the hard-headed "realists" who deal with war and peace. This is nonsense. The so-called realists just don't understand the sources of tensions and stresses that are leading to a growing number of crises around the world. Link to Story Link | 0 comments The Green House Exhibit at the National Building Museum  Have you ever thought about living in a "green" house, one that is healthy for you and your family and helps conserve the Earth's resources? Whether you are building a new home, renovating an existing one, or looking to make even just few changes in your living habits, every household can incorporate features that support the conservation of the environment and improve our quality of life. As environmental concerns continue to mount worldwide, integrating more sustainable practices and products into our lives becomes increasingly important. There is growing popular interest in green living, and the possibilities for achieving it in our homes are rapidly expanding. This fall, the National Building Museum is hosting The Green House Exhibit and a wide selection of green programming. General interest and technical lectures, family activities and festivals, a one-day home renovation expo called Greenovation, and more, will promote "going green" and help satisfy the growing demand for information on how to make environmentally-conscious lifestyle and design choices. The exhibit is on from May 20, 2006 - June 3, 2007 at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC. More info at Green House Link | 0 comments Sunny Side Up  General Motors liked the idea of using the sun to power its buildings. But until recently, one immutable economic fact held G.M. back: The upfront costs were simply too high to justify the ultimate payoff.G.M. is not alone. Even solar energy's biggest fans concede that the high investment costs have kept companies from pursuing what is arguably the cleanest, most renewable and least politically sensitive energy source around. But now, G.M. and a small but growing number of other companies and municipalities are getting solar energy from systems installed by others. Even though the installations are right on their own roofs, they buy the electricity much as they would from a utility's grid. And because the companies that paid for the systems will get a steady income, they can provide power from the sun at competitive electricity rates. Link to Story Link | 0 comments Home Depot to sell solar to mainstream  Home Depot and BP have joined forces to install solar panels for their customers. Customers can sign up online for free in-home consultations. But while Home Depot and other major corporations have started to "sell" solar power to the general population, it may take drastic measures from the solar industry itself to completely infiltrate mainstream consciousness."If the solar industry is going to continue to thrive and expand we are going to have to separate ourselves from the alternative fuels debate," Murray said. "The technology is good now. It can be distributed now. Now is when we have to sell." Link to Story Link | 0 comments When GOING 'Green,' It's Still Tough to Find a BuildER When Josh Daniels, 34, set out to renovate his home in Carmichael, Calif., in 2003, he spent hours researching biodegradable paints, countertops made from recycled paper, and other planet-friendly products. But the one thing his research didn't turn up was a builder experienced in working with them. "It was really hard to find a contractor familiar with 'green' building, so we just tried to find someone who was willing to use greener products," he said. "Even that proved to be a little bit challenging." Link to Story Link | 0 comments Reduced Energy Consumption and Cost Savings The Wall Street Journal looks at the cost side of reduced energy consumption with 10 innovations that will reduce the amount of energy we use. Link | 0 comments Leeds Expands to Neighborhoods LEED is expanding to neighborhoods, and Doug Farr is leading the way. Farr is helping to shepherd the creation of a different set of standards, an outgrowth of USGBC's voluntary, consensus-based LEED rating system that's known as LEED for Neighborhood Development, or LEED-ND. The Council, whose LEED steering committee Farr sits on, decided in 2003 to expand its efforts into urban planning and neighborhood development. The intention, quite simply, was to design America's first green neighborhoods. Link to Story Link | 0 comments World's Pollution Mapped The Blacksmith Institute, a US-based environmental charity has documented what it calls the 10 most polluted places on the planet.  Link to Story
Link | 0 comments First Cradle-to-Cradle House The result of a competition, the first cradle-to-cradle house will be built in Virigina. After mortgage incentives and product donations, the estimated cost of the house hovers around $95,000, within the ballpark of the median home price in the area.  Link to Story
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