public service annoucemnet

they are actually building this

Among the most appealing features of the city is the incorporation of 100% renewable power sources such as solar and wind farms as well as plantation and research fields, ensuring an entirely self sustaining system. The city will be linked to Abu Dhabi’s international airport via a network of pre-existing roads and newly constructed magnetic public transportation routes. Entirely car free, Masdar City will easily accomodate pedestrians since there will be just a 200 meter distance between the city center and all forms of alternative, eco-friendly transportation, (including individual solar powered pods that drive commuters to their desired destinations).

Its shaded walkways and narrow streets will provide relief from the extreme Abu Dhabi climate while also creating a pedestrian friendly environment. Pedestrians will be treated to interactive light poles, heat sensitive technology and water features that are all triggered by kinetic energy. Giant umbrellas mimicking the natural action of sunflowers will continuously shade Masdar City occupants during daylight hours, reserving any heat that they capture until nightfall so that it may be released into the plaza. Masdar City will also feature adjustable building facade angles that will deflect or make the most of solar glare along with wall surface materials embedded with energy that respond to changes in temperature. The main design inspiration of key buildings in the city centre is based on geographical landmarks like canyons, wadis and other points of visual interest found in nature. To complete the whole sustainable vision, roof gardens will integrate food production and the ultilization of organic food waste as well as water efficiency and energy generation.

more

and more

Democracy Unlimited

these peeps are doing some cool stuff up here in Humboldt and elsewhere. glad to get to learn from them in my upcoming internship.

Resist the dominant program

greenhouse

more pics

• Living exterior wall system (irrigated with recycled graywater/rainwater)
• Green Roof with half comprised of a highly productive vegetable garden
• Solar array that supplies almost all of the entire structure’s electrical needs
• Radiant in-floor heat
• Combination high efficiency hot water boiler that provides in-floor radiant heat and hot water
• Central staircase doubles as a chimney to draw cooling breezes through the house
• On-demand hot water (reduces water usage)
• Recycled cotton and spray foam insulation
• Low-flow fixtures
• Non-toxic/Low VOC finishes

Transition Colorado @ Ning
http://transitioncolorado.ning.com/

“I do not want to talk about what you understand about this world. I want to know what you will do about it. I do not want to know what you hope. I want to know what you will work for. I do not want your sympathy for the needs of humanity. I want your muscle.” – Robert Fulghum

hobbits

dig it

bamboooooo bikes

read all about them!

design with nature

let’s hope this catches on

“Ten leading designers have been commissioned to develop new uses for sustainably grown and harvested materials in order to tell a unique story about the life-cycle of materials and the power of conservation and design.”

http://www.nature.org/design/

urban revisionists

more holleruntz designs

awesome

combine this with the new obama tax credits for solar power and you have money coming back to you in just a few years (or less).

¨Englert Environmental has unveiled an integrated metal roofing system that can deliver much of the energy, heating and water needs of the average American home without tapping into local utility resources.
The new rooftop system provides electric power, hot water heat and water for outdoor and indoor uses all in a single package.
Englert’s UltraCOOL Energy Star and LEED compliant standing seam metal roof system is a pivotal component in providing electric power and thermal heat as well as rainwater for lawns and landscaping, vehicle cleaning and laundry and toilet flushing.
Resource-saving technologies included with a single Englert standing seam metal roof include:

+ Englert’s SunNet solar standing seam roof with Building Integrated Photovoltaics using quarter-inch thick laminates that are virtually invisible and provide all the electric energy the average home requires year round.

+ A solar thermal system mounted under the Englert Solar standing seam roof which draws heat from the roof and transfers it to the home’s hot water system. The roof and thermal technology are self-regulating, preventing overheating and can even be used to heat roofs to rid them of snow and ice.

+ Three rainwater harvesting solutions that integrate Englert’s Kynar-coated standing seam roof, Englert LeafGuard and Gutter Tunnel leaf protection systems and three compact residential rainwater harvesting kits that capture 225, 400 and 1,700 gallons of water for non-potable uses including landscape irrigation, vehicle cleaning and non-potable household uses such as toilet flushing and laundering.
The Englert Kynar-coated roof does not leach and Englert’s line of leaf protection systems including LeafGuard and Gutter Tunnel eliminate much of the debris that channels into conventional gutter systems before it reaches the filtering systems and containment tanks included in surface and underground rainwater harvesting systems.
A single Englert Environmental-sponsored project utilizing all of its metal roofing, rainware and solar photovoltaic and thermal technologies can earn more than 15 U.S. Green Building Council LEED credits.
Englert Environmental projects also qualify for federal renewable energy investment tax credits, state-specific financial incentives including rebates, incentives, grants and state credits, accelerated depreciation tax benefits, Renewable Energy Credits (REC’s) and net income from electric power purchase agreements.
All of the roof-related technologies can be incorporated during new construction or as retrofits to existing homes and are perfect for light commercial applications as well.¨

 http://www.solardaily.com/reports/All_In_One_Solar_Electric_Thermal_And_Rainwater_Harvesting_999.html

four words

burning man, bamboo dome

these planes are by one bucky- fuller:

http://www.desertdomes.com/bamboo.html

lets do it!!!! and some other sweet stuff too. there are tones of good planes to be found and bamboo is awesome and light and strong and pretty and and flexible and fun and neat.

i know how to save the economy

An Ontario company says it has secured $2 million from investors to open the first North American bio-processing plant for industrial hemp.

Stonehedge Bio-Resources Inc., based in Stirling, Ont., north of Belleville, announced it plans to open a bio-refining facility this year.

Hemp is the common name for the cannabis plant, which has fibrous roots, stalks and stems useful for producing a variety of products and seeds that are edible. The flowers, buds and leaves of some strains are used to produce drugs such as marijuana and hashish because they contain a psychoactive compound called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but industrial hemp is bred to produce very little THC.

The Stonehedge plant would produce Hemcrete, a limestone building material similar to concrete that is considered to be more environmentally friendly.

The company also expects to produce more than $17 million per year in renewable hemp fibre, wood-like chips, pellets, matting and seed products.

Stonehedge Bio-Resources says it plans to start with five employees this year and employ up to 27 people by 2011.

The company says the global renewable and bioproducts industry is expected to exceed $125 billion in revenues by 2010.

“clean coal”

anyone got half a $mill?

lets relocate…

NEW zeitgeist movie

i am fully impressed by the next installment in the zeitgeist educational movie world. these pictures, ideas and quotes are really imporant and expansive. there is a great expilanation of the for-profit economy that has led to our current financial ”disaster” first, followed by ideas for a more inclusive and expansive future.

i do, however suggest critical thinking (like blog peeps need encouragement) because these arguments are one sided for sure. not that the ends of sustainability and abundance are not good or real, but more that there are many means to reach such ends. in any case, its nice to see some ideas for solutions instead of fear mongering cynicism. please check it out if ya got some time.

algae solutions

this seems like a great idea for it not only creates fuel but also utilizes removal of CO2 from our atmosphere in the process. two birds, one algea (or i guess a few strands). i have seen this stuff for years at festivals like dreamtime and sustainable fairs. i think we are starting to see the main stream catch on a little:

Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Fair

This Saturday and Sunday in Fort Collins accross from New Belgum on Vine St:

“The Sustainable Living Fair is a solution based, hands-on, family oriented event designed to educate people of all ages and backgrounds about Sustainable Living Practices, Renewable Energy, Environmental & Social Responsibility, Natural Health, Green Building, Alternative Vehicles, Organic Agriculture, Local Economies and more.”

http://www.sustainablelivingassociation.org/thefair/

Lotus announces hemp-based Eco-Elise

Via Transport 2.0:

Sustainable hemp technical fabrics have been used as the primary constituent in the high quality “A” class composite body panels and spoiler. The renewable hemp has exceptional material properties that make for a very strong fibre. Historically hemp has been used in the manufacture of rope, illustrating the great strength of the material.