Last year was the ninth warmest year on record (since 1880). Global average surface temperatures has continually risen since 1950, when the average global temperature was 0.92 degrees F (0.51 C) cooler than in 2011.
An updated video compiled by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies illustrates this warming trend in colorful detail. Red in the video represents temperatures higher than the average during the 1950 - 1981 baseline period while blue represents temperatures lower than that average.
While 2011 was the ninth warmest year, 2010 was the warmest year on record. The difference in average temperature between 2010 and 2011 was 0.22 degrees F (0.12 C). Temperatures may fluctuate slightly from year to year, but, as this analysis shows, the overall trend of rapid warming continues.
by: Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine, 2012-01-31 01:36:18 UTC
With large cargo freighters being a major source of CO2 emissions worldwide it's been encouraging to see various efforts to make such vessels more efficient. In recent years we've seen the development of the world's biggest container ship to cut CO2 emissions per container moved, air bubbles used to cut the friction between a ship's hull and the ocean, and even plans to return to the use of sails to cut fuel use. Now Nissan has launched an energy efficient coastal car carrier called the Nichio Maru that employs solar panels, LED lighting, a low friction hull coating hull and an electronically controlled diesel engine to cut fuel consumption...
Continue Reading Nissan unveils energy-efficient Nichio Maru car carrier
by: Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine, 2012-01-31 04:55:05 UTC
Current monitoring of large structures such as bridges, wind turbines and mines generally relies on time consuming visual inspections that use specialized instrumentation and equipment. Translation: it's expensive. But if damage can be detected before any structural damage occurs, maintenance bills can also be significantly reduced and safety increased. Researchers at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow are tackling the issue with a smart paint they claim not only detects microscopic faults before structural damage occurs, but does so at a cost of just one percent of current widely used inspection methods...
Continue Reading Smart paint could slash costs of structural monitoring
Go Halfsies is a brilliant social initiative in Texas that solves the tripartite problem of obesity, food waste, and hunger in one fell swoop. When diners visit participating restaurants in Austin, they have the option of signing up for “halfsies”. In so doing, they will pay full price for a meal but receive only half the portion and the other half will be donated to people in the city who do not have enough money to purchase food. Since so many restaurants serve portions that are way larger than we actually need, it often happens that leftover food goes into the rubbish bin – where it becomes ineligible for donation. Halfsies solves that dilemma before it even happens by helping diners make good health decisions before they see the food on their plate.
by: Ecofriend, 2012-01-30 14:49:00 UTC
Gaurav Thakur:
According to statistics in America women comprise of only 25 percent of the total bicycle riders. One of the reasons for this is the lack of bicycles on the market that focus on this niche, and provide a viable and comfortable product to its clientele. “Velo chic”, is one such concept that aims to bring a trendy, comfortable line of bicycles to the female audience and bridge the gender gap in the bicycle industry.
It is designed to increase bicycle ridership among females.
With the soaring costs of fuel and congestion problems in cities, governments around the world have been encouraging its citizens to ride to their office or other nearby places on bicycles. This includes a large fleet of bicycles available on rent to travel on daily basis. While males have resorted to this trend and are using this mode of transportation extensively, the number of females using the same is minimal.
The front and the rear sections can be folded together, which ensures that the minimal parking space at office or in the market doesn’t bother you a lot. The foldable hinge and the handlebar also ensure the you don’t need to specifically park it somewhere in your house but can place it in any corner of your house. It offers more storage space in front as well as rear by attaching your purse or groceries that you have picked up from the market, to its body. It comes with a Sussex Shaft Driven System and an electric Power Assist System that ensures comfortable ride during peak traffic hours. Designed by Guo-Shiung Hung, “Velo chic”, certainly makes bicycling a lucrative prospect for urban women.
Designer Adam Weaver describes Re:Fuse as an “anaerobic digestion unit” that reclaims gas from decomposing biological debris that would otherwise be lost. The gas collected can then be used for cooking. The user simply places food-waste in the unit and over time Re:Fuse will not only yield gas for cooking but usable fertilizer for growing more food!
by: The Design blog, 2012-01-31 04:49:34 UTC
Asmita Prasad:
Here’s something for exercise freaks, who now have yet another gadget to fuel their OCDs. Dubbed as the FuelBand, this nifty little offering from Nike promises to keep you up to speed with your fitness routine. The gadget is geared to measure calories burned during any form of exercise as well as the number of steps you take while working out. The FuelBand also keeps track of the time during exercise, which means that you don’t need to wear your expensive sports watch while jogging in the morning.
The intersection of sport and data with a wristband that measures movement to motivate
In case the standard number of features does not impress you, this rather bizarre addition just might. Apparently, the FuelBand also tracks your wrist movement for some odd reason, which has drawn its fair share of rude jokes and puns across various forums that have previewed the gizmo. Lewd commentary notwithstanding, Nike has announced that this particular feature allows users to earn something the company call NikeFuel which helps users meet goals and set up challenges for themselves. When you have met your NikeFuel score for the day, the 20 color-coded LED lights on the band turn green to let you know you have achieved your goal for the day. The NikeFuel score resets at midnight so you have to keep setting a NikeFuel goal for yourself everyday which is the only bit of inconvenience that the band poses.
When you synchronize your Nike+ FuelBand to your iPhone/smartphone or PC via Bluetooth connection or via a USB cable, you can keep track of your NikeFuel scores and even set up targets for yourself. You can share these scores across social media or even generate graphs and judge your own performance over time. The Nike+ FuelBand is set to hit stores on 22nd February and it will be retailed for $149.
Danish Environment Minister Ida Auken has an ambitious agenda for her country's EU presidency, including global leadership on sustainable development. The Socialist politician says she sees no conflict between environmental regulation and spurring economic growth in Europe.
by: Sustainable Design News, 2012-01-11 11:25:30 UTC Seymourpowell added Chris Sherwin to its roster as Head of Sustainability. Sherwin will be responsible for developing and delivering specific sustainable innovation offers, to help clients explore the opportunities from sustainability.
In addition, Sherwin will work to embed sustainability into all Seymourpowell's existing innovation, branding and design work.
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-01-13 13:52:27 UTC
This week I visited a lecture of Daan Roosengaarde in Shanghai, showing his interactive art/products which are, very often also sustainable. Above ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-01-10 15:39:25 UTC
When the first plastic chairs were made, they began with fairly simple tools and moulds to form the plastic. The simple tools were easy to adjust and ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-01-08 15:32:00 UTC
Marjan and I wish you all a happy and creative 2012! With lot's of ideas for beautiful new products that people love and keep for many years and that ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-01-04 09:10:40 UTC
Since the independence of Namibia in 1990, logging of trees is restricted due to the sensitivity of ecosystems and woodlands. Trees are harder and ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-01-03 13:43:12 UTC
Tropical hard wood is often used for its durability and its aesthetics. Deforestation in the tropics is however a problem and increases climate changes. ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-01-02 19:47:16 UTC
Marcel Wanders designed an energymeter for Innovaders.The Wattcher consists of a sensor, a sending unit (both placed in the meter closet on any electricity ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-01-02 18:50:10 UTC
Although bamboo in itself is self sustaining, in can grow meters in a year and after cutting it off it continues to grow. Bamboo is however not necessarily ...
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