All posts from Inhabitat

The grid is about to get a whole lot smarter with the introduction of synchrophasors — high tech devices that measure and transmit incoming energy data at blinding speeds. When deployed en masse, the nifty devices will help to significantly increase the amount of reliable energy transmitted across the grid. Not only will synchrophasors allow grid operators to better monitor and understand electricity generation and usage, they will help bring more wind and solar power online.Read the rest of New Synchrophasors Are the Key to a Smarter, More Stable Energy Grid Permalink |
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Eco-friendly consultants are sure to turn green with envy when they see Andrea Romani’s brilliant Ecological Business Card design. The concept consists of a simple stamp that can be used to print contact information upon virtually any recycled material. The clever concept is economical and not only cuts down on manufacturing costs and energy waste, but also re-uses materials that are already on the road to being tossed away. Read the rest of Brilliant Eco-Business Card Can Be Printed on Practically Anything Permalink |
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In the poorest regions of the world, exposure to kerosene kills one person every 20 seconds. That’s why we’re really impressed with the folks over at Plus Minus Solar who’ve designed their Solar Pebble to replace kerosene lamps which are widely used in rural Africa. Kerosene is expensive and highly toxic and eliminating the use of it is a huge mission for humanitarian designers. This little solar wonder is a great alternative. Its small, portable, inexpensive and can provide light as well as charge small electronic devices. Read the rest of Tiny Solar Pebble Can Replace Kerosene Lamps in Rural Africa Permalink |
Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Africa, design for the developing world, developing world, Electricity, humanitarian design, Light, power, solar, solar pebble, sun, sunlight

Inhabitat dog owners listen up!Looking for ways to green life with your furry four-legged friend? Considering all of the things that ‘man’s best friends’ do for us, it’s only natural that we’d want to pay them back by providing them with a healthy and green home. But what many people don’t realize is that some of the most common products we use to take care of our dogs can actually be harmful to both them and the environment (and no one wants that!). If you want to green your best friend’s regime, we’ve got some helpful and simple tips right after the jump, so check it out! Read the rest of HOW TO GREEN YOUR PUP: Creating a safe environment Permalink |
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Michigan-based designer Dave Owsen, has conceived of a futuristic transportation solution that provides for private urban transportation via a system of rails and transport cells. In his design, private “cells” or transport cars move on tracks throughout the city, and individuals or small parties can choose their exact destination. Inspired by living plant cells, which are both autonomous and powered by the sun, each cell in the transit system contains photovoltaics to generate renewable energy. Read the rest of Solar-Powered Personal Urban Transit System of the Future Permalink |
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In a move that will double the amount of the planet’s protected oceans, the U.K. announced late last week that it is turning the Chagos Archipelago into the world’s largest marine reserve. The 55-island, U.K.-owned archipelago in the Indian Ocean contains 220 species of coral, 1,000 types of fish, 33 species of seabirds, and a number of sea turtles. Overall, the new protected zone will span 210,000 square miles in the ocean. Read the rest of Chagos Archipelago to Become World’s Largest Marine Reserve Permalink |
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Green is the color of nature, the environment and sustainability, but ironically the pigments used to create the color are not all that healthy or environmentally friendly. Many green pigments are actually quite toxic and even with modern dyes and pigments, green is still problematic. Michael Braungart, co-author of Cradle-To-Cradle and famous chemist, says, “The color green can never be green, because of the way it is made. It’s impossible to dye plastic green or to print green ink on paper without contaminating them.” So what are we to do with the chosen mascot color for sustainability and eco-friendliness? Read the rest of The Color Green is Toxic to People, Contaminates Recycling Permalink |
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We’ve seen plenty of human-powered vehicles — from velomobile bikes to helicopters, and even hovercrafts — but the latest contraption to come down the pipeline is perhaps the strangest one yet: the treadmill bike. Designed by Bicycle Forest, the bike offers a a creative alternative to both traditional biking and running on a treadmill in the gym. Read the rest of Treadmill Bike is a Creative Workout on Wheels Permalink |
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NASA’s about to lend a heavier hand in the fight against climate change. The news that President Obama would be rearranging NASA’s budget to focus more on what can be done to stop global warming was met with some opposition, but we’re elated that he’s bringing some of that cash down to Earth. Though the shuttle program may be ending soon NASA was just awarded $2.4 billion over the next five years to use their spacey knowledge to study the Earth more closely — from a distance. Read the rest of Obama Gives Nasa $2.4 Billion to Study Climate Change Permalink |
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Last week marked the start of a beautiful friendship between Ford and Microsoft. The two companies announced a deal at the New York International Auto Show in which they’ll partner to create a computerized link between houses, electric cars and utility companies. The new electric car system will allow drivers to better manage home energy use and save money.Read the rest of Microsoft Hohm Will Allow Electric Vehicles to Power Home Appliances Permalink |
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The brilliant bristling structure you see above is not the world’s largest pincushion – it’s Thomas Heatherwick’s recently completed UK Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Dubbed the “Seed Cathedral”, the six-story high structure is studded with 60,000 translucent rods that act as fiber-optic filaments that channel sunlight into the pavilion’s interior. The densely-packed forest of filaments also contains the impetus to create living forests in the future — each 7.5 meter long “branch” contains seeds from the Millenium Seed Bank that will be given to China one the expo has run its course. Read the rest of Construction Complete on the UK’s Stunning Seed Cathedral Permalink |
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HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!In the spirit of wishing you a happy spring, we’d like to share with you some adorable green moss bunnies and bambis adorning the walls of construction sites in Brooklyn. Artist Edina Tokodi puts a new spin on green guerrilla art tactics by creating cuddly moss critters and then putting them up on gritty urban exteriors around the NYC area. We think her green public art is pretty awesome and hope you will too.READ MORE HERE > Permalink |
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