Last week we reported on the groundbreaking new media platform Earth 2 Hub which aims to create a space for the world’s most creative artists, designers, scientists, and storytellers to explore and share their solutions to the numerous problems facing earth and its inhabitants. To shed more light on Earth 2.0 and the newly-unveiled hub, we talked to Melissa Sterry, who is one of the most well-known futurists on the planet. A design scientist and transformational change strategist for the built environment, utilities, manufacturing, design, publishing, media and communications industries, Melissa is also a PhD researcher at AVATAR – the Advanced Virtual and Technological Architecture Research group, where she is developing The Bionic City – a sustainable smart city that transfers knowledge from earth’s ecosystems to create a mega-city blueprint that can withstand extreme meteorological and geological events such as flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, eruptions and earthquakes. Step on in for a fascinating glimpse of what the future of design and architecture might hold.
Philips has announced that it will be launching its award-winning $60 LED Bulbin stores on April 22, 2012 just in time for Earth Day. The bulb, winner of the U.S. government’s $10 million L-Prize, retails for $60 but Philips will be discounting it to $50 for consumers and rebates could reduce the price even more by $20 to $30. $50 might seem like a lot of money, but when you consider that you won’t have to replace this bulb for 20 years, it becomes apparent how smart of an investment this is. Homeowners and renters will also see increased energy efficiency and lower energy bills, and contrary to popular belief, this LED bulb gives off a soft, pleasing light.
Call it the vigilance committee or eco-functionality, but you have to hand it to the Cook Faucet for being a cool way to measure and keep a tab on how much water you consume. The buttons on the tap are divided into 100 ml, 500 ml and 1 liter and if you need some more, simply press the button for a wee bit longer or opt for the normal.
A free app that won the EPA's Apps for the Environment contest lets you calculate the energy and cost savings you'd see by swapping out your light bulbs for more efficient versions. The EPA estimates that using the app can help homeowners cut their electricity bill by $120 a year and cut their CO2 emissions by 1,360 lbs a year.
The Light Bulb Finder app lets you choose the type of fixture and bulb that you want to replace and then recommends a good replacement based on fit, appearance and quality. The app then shows users a picture of the bulb, its specifications and the savings users will see in energy, costs and emissions based on the user's location if they make the switch. To make it easy as possible, the app also directs users to where they can buy the bulbs either online or at local retailers.
As a home owner, I know that walking into a large home improvement store and trying to pick out efficient bulbs from the shelves can feel a little overwhelming, especially when you're not sure about fixture fit and the quality of light you'll be getting. This app is great because it takes the guessing out of making the switch to more efficient bulbs and as the incandescent bulbs start disappearing from shelves starting as the new light bulb standards go into effect, easy access to this information will become important.
The app is available for iOS devices and Android-based smartphones.
by: Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine, 2012-04-18 06:05:42 UTC
In response to the skyrocketing prices of rare earth metals, Honda, in partnership with the Japan Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd., has established a world first mass-production process at a recycling plant to recycle this precious resource from Honda vehicles. ..
Continue Reading Honda to extract rare earth metals from used car batteries
by: TreeHugger Design, 2012-04-17 15:10:00 UTC
Waste is too valuable to just flush away. But can you comfortably live with the alternative? Laurence Grant does, and explains how.
The snazzy-looking Skyline Lab kitchen is designed specifically for the wheelchair-bound, providing a high level of functionality without sacrificing style. Produced by Italian manufacturer Snaidero, the kitchen features tons of thoughtful design touches that place everything within reach for the chef who cannot stand, tiptoe, or crouch to dig through the back of a low cabinet.
There are no cabinets at all beneath the sweeping counter, allowing a wheelchair user to belly right up to the surface; the shallow sink basin leaves plenty of room for legs. A garbage can on wheels and a roll-out shelf unit can be maneuvered in and out of the way.
The circular shelves provide Lazy-Susan-like storage, allowing whatever's in the back to be quickly brought to the front. They are purposely left unenclosed so the user can see where everything is.
Well, a lot of interesting ideas concerning reuse, recycling and new materials. Check out the video and some of Janne's ideas below:
Think Recycling! Create packaging from the competition using a simple sticker.
Think Materials! Bottles made from brewing dregs encourage consumers to help plant more vegetables, offering an interesting lifecycle opportunity!
Think you can do better? Here's your chance to make your packaging ideas a reality. Share your sustainable ideas on the future of beer packaging for a chance to win $10,000!
» By May 8th - An elevator pitch and 3 images (plus a more in-depth .pdf if you'd like)
» PROMOTE YOUR IDEAS - The more votes you get, the better your chances are to move to Phase 2!
» By May 29th - 100 participants will be chosen to participate in Phase 2, a closed innovation environment where participants will work with HEINEKEN experts on developing ideas.
» By June 2012 - one winner will be selected to win the grand prize of $10,000!
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-04-01 16:50:15 UTC
h1. The packaging
re-worked and re-invented packaging. This uses as little material as possible and much of the material used is
recycled. The ...
Waste is too valuable to just flush away. But can you comfortably live with the alternative? Laurence Grant does, and explains how.
Designer Naty Moskovich is always ready to move with his Movable Presence
Think Recycling! Create packaging from the competition using a simple sticker. 
Think Materials! Bottles made from brewing dregs encourage consumers to help plant more vegetables, offering an interesting lifecycle opportunity!
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