Photo via the New Republic It's a widely held notion that politicians have long been in the pocket of Big Oil. And there's good reason for that perception: oil companies' huge campaign donations, vast lobbying power, and close ties to politicians have ensured that their taxes remain low , that hidden subsidies are around to provide extra funding, and that they receive preferential treatment in US energy policy. But there could be a new, ... View original post here: The Next Big Oil: Big Smart Grid?
So there really isn't anything that deep to this image. It's just a (more or less) life-sized blue whale eye. And on the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society site you can educate yourself/be mesmerized/ waste some time for a while staring at it while the entire life-sized animal scrolls across your browser window. Believe me, it's way cooler than you might think:... Read more from the original source: Ever See a Blue Whale Life-Sized on Your Computer? Now You Can
published July 14, 2010 and has No Comments
They said it couldn't be done. When we first wrote about the almost invisible treehouse to be built in Sweden by Tham & Videgard, 899 commenters thought it was autocad eye candy, impossible to build and death for birds. But they built it, one of six units in a "Treehotel" opening this weekend 40 miles south of the Arctic ...
Read more...published July 13, 2010 and has No Comments
Bonnie recently covered the five shortlisted designs in the Beyond the Hive Competition . Designers were challenged to create " an ecologically sustainable and creative insect habitat." The winner the Golden Beetle Award is Arup Associates for their high-rise insect hotel... Read the full story on TreeHugger Excerpt from: Engineers Design Prize-Winning Insect Hotel For London Parks
Read more...published July 7, 2010 and has No Comments
All images via www.designboom.com This amazing pavilion designed by students at Chelsea College of Art & Design has been on show during the London Festival of Architecture for the last couple of weeks. It is made from the unlikeliest of materials, Speedo swimsuits, and we think it's a fantastic example of the design possibilities ... Read the full story ...
Read more...published July 6, 2010 and has No Comments
Image via Yanko Design Finding water where there isn't any is inspiration for a whole range of water-gathering concept designs. But it seems one of the best places to start for coming up with a winning concept is to mimic the plants and animals that can survive desert environments, such as, perhaps, the onymacris unguicularis or "fog-basking" beetle. It ...
Read more...published July 5, 2010 and has No Comments
There is the Pritzker, the Prix de Rome, the RIBA and the AIA awards, and then there is the Shed of the Year prize, honouring the best of this "cornerstone of British culture." I have had the honour of being a judge three years running, and my top choice never won before. But this year, there was no contest ...
Read more...published July 5, 2010 and has No Comments
Steve McCallion, executive creative director at design and innovation consultancy Ziba Design, writes in Fast Company Design: America has mortgaged its future to maintain the symbols of personal freedom (the house, the car, the big screen TV) at the expense of real freedom. We owe China almost one trillion dollars; our public education system is approaching collapse; and, we ...
Read more...published July 5, 2010 and has No Comments
Veteran Jonathan Powers writes in CNN about how the U.S. thirst for oil threatens its economic and national security. This year, as Americans across the nation celebrate July Fourth with barbecues and fireworks, those most responsible for defending our independence, the military, will continue to fight two wars. And it is a shame that we will let yet another ...
Read more...published June 28, 2010 and has No Comments
Photo: Logo - Patagonia, Boot - Backpacker Can you make a walking boot with less environmental impact? This is the question Backpacker magazine posed to 60 footwear companies. But only five rallied to their 'zero impact challenge.' Patagonia Footwear was one of that handful, and we've been following their response to that dare. Details of Patagonia's boot recently came ...
Read more...published June 24, 2010 and has No Comments
Image credit: Good Washers and driers are fast, easy, and convenient—but they tend to use a lot energy and water. Levi Srauss & Co., it turns out, has noticed. According to a study they commissioned , "60 percent of the climate impact comes during the consumer phase." Now, they are asking for help to design a better way to ...
Read more...published June 24, 2010 and has No Comments
More here: Today on Planet 100: Botox Kills Emotions (Video)
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Save the sea creatures! Handcraft your own natural specimens using these these simple patterns, some yarn and a crochet hook. View post: 8 Enchanting Sea Creatures You Can Crochet
A Finnish designer has made a working surfboard from broken skateboards. Read the original here: Hollow Surfboard Is Made from Broken Skateboards
