Artist uses materials found in nature to create elaborate cairns and mandalas

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/artist-uses-materials-found-in-nature-to-create-elaborate-cairns-and-mandalas
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World's first 3D-printed camper trailer took 9 days to make

3D printing just went seriously next level with the world's first 3D printed camper trailer. The first of its kind in the world, the full-sized camper took 9 days and hundreds of feet of filament to create, and the results are pretty fantastic. The trailer is the first of its kind in the world, and the sheer size of the project makes it impressive. This is no tiny trailer - the camper is 13 feet long, 6 feet wide and weighs 600 pounds - 507 cubic feet of 3D printed goodness. It's over...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/worlds-first-3d-printed-camper-trailer-took-9-days-to-make
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Paris hopes to create forest 5 times bigger than NYC's Central Park

Paris has been forging a reputation recently for battling urban air pollution, but they could go really green with a 1,350-hectare forest. The Syndicat Mixte d'Aménagement de la Plaine de Pierrelaye-Bessancourt (SMAPP) project could create a forest five times the size of Central Park in New York City around 18 miles northwest of the city center. Business Insider reported the location for the forest is a wasteland right now, serving as an unofficial landfill, but the SMAPP plan would transform the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/paris-hopes-to-create-forest-5-times-bigger-than-nycs-central-park
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Coca-Cola, Nestle seek to privatize world's second largest aquifer

Coca-Cola and Nestle are moving forward in their effort to take ownership of the Guarani Aquifer in Brazil. Named for the indigenous Guarani people, the world's second largest aquifer, found beneath parts of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina may soon fall under private corporate control. According to Correio do Brasil, meetings between the multinational corporations and representatives of Brazil's government have been scheduled to begin the formal process of privatization, which could guarantee...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/coca-cola-nestle-seek-to-privatize-worlds-second-largest-aquifer
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German cities get green light from court to ban diesel vehicles

via CNET images via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/german-cities-get-green-light-from-court-to-ban-diesel-vehicles
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First plastic-free supermarket aisle opens in Amsterdam

The world's first plastic-free supermarket aisle opens on February 28th at the Amsterdam location of the Netherlands-based supermarket chain Ekoplaza. Within this aisle, customers will be able to choose from more than 700 plastic-free products. The company hopes to roll out plastic-free aisles at all of its 74 locations. The aisle arrives at a time when global concern over plastic pollution is on the rise and campaigns are being waged to urge companies and governments to change their plastic policies. “For...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/first-plastic-free-supermarket-aisle-opens-in-amsterdam
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This whimsical houseboat in Seattle is straight out of a fairy tale

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-whimsical-houseboat-in-seattle-is-straight-out-of-a-fairy-tale
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Daan Roosegaarde reveals vision for air-purifying Smog Free Drones

Studio Roosegaarde's Smog Free Project continues to create bubbles of clean air throughout the world, recently opening a Smog Free Tower in Park Jordana in Kraków, Poland. But designer and Studio Roosegaarde founder Daan Roosegaarde isn't through innovating new ideas to clean our skies. In an exclusive interview with Inhabitat, Roosegaarde shared the first art impressions of Smog Free Drones that could create personalized pockets of fresh air. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/daan-roosegaarde-reveals-vision-for-air-purifying-smog-free-drones
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Solar and wind energy could meet 80% of US electricity demand

Fourth-fifths of the United States' electricity demand could be obtained from wind and solar power, according to four scientists from the Carnegie Institution for Science; University of California, Irvine (UCI); and the California Institute of Technology, after they pored over 36 years of hourly weather data. UCI associate professor Steven Davis said in a statement, "The fact that we could get 80 percent of our power from wind and solar alone is really encouraging. Five years ago, many people doubted...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/solar-and-wind-energy-could-meet-80-of-us-electricity-demand
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Lush green roof of native plants breathes life into a Texan cabana

This minimalist concrete-and-glass cabana looks as if it rose straight from the ground thanks to its beautiful green roof that ties it into verdant surroundings in Palmer, Texas. Dallas-based architecture firm Wernerfield designed the PTX1 Cabana, a simple and transparent structure that provides a strong contrast to the wild and colorful plants like yucca and sage that grow atop its roof. The rectangular pool house also doubles as a “remote” entertaining space with an indoor lounge, bathroom...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/lush-green-roof-of-native-plants-breathes-life-into-a-texan-cabana
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Colorful bamboo pavilion champions sustainable design in Kuala Lumpur

Renewable and fast-growing bamboo is catching on in the world of construction. To spur on the green material’s popularity, architect Eleena Jamil designed and built Urban Brains, a temporary pavilion that shows off the versatility of bamboo from structural support to decorative cladding. Built for the World Urban Forum 2018 in collaboration with UNHabitat, the pop-up pavilion in Kuala Lumpur also encourages visitors to add their thoughts to the design by literally writing on the walls. Located...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/colorful-bamboo-pavilion-champions-sustainable-design-in-kuala-lumpur
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Over 100 cities around the globe run mostly on renewable energy

Over 100 cities are running predominantly clean energy, up from just 40 in 2015. New data shows that more and more cities - from Seattle, Washington to Inje, South Korea - are ditching fossil fuels and turning to renewables than ever before. According to a report from CDP, more than 100 cities across the globe get 70% or more of their energy from wind, solar, hydro and biomass. Some cities are even getting 100% of their energy from renewables, like Burlington, Vermont, which just became the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/over-100-cities-around-the-globe-run-mostly-on-renewable-energy
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Virgin Hyperloop One and Dubai RTA unveil their first commuter pod

12 minutes: that's the amount of time it could take a traveler to go from Dubai to Abu Dhabi via Hyperloop. And Virgin Hyperloop One is working to bring us a little closer to that reality — together with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, they recently unveiled a prototype commuter pod in Dubai.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/virgin-hyperloop-one-and-dubai-rta-unveil-their-first-commuter-pod
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MIT's thermal resonator generates power "out of what seems like nothing"

A brand new power-generating system from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers creates energy "out of what seems like nothing," according to chemical engineering professor Michael Strano. Their system, which they're calling a thermal resonator, harnesses daily swings in ambient temperature. Their thermal resonator could enable remote sensing systems to last for years — no batteries or other power source required.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/mits-thermal-resonator-generates-power-out-of-what-seems-like-nothing
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Viruses and bacteria are falling from Earth's atmosphere

Viruses are circulating in the atmosphere of our planet - and falling down on Earth, according to new research from scientists in Spain, the United States, and Canada. This is the first time researchers have measured how many viruses are carried from the planet's surface into the free toposphere, where they can be transported for thousands of miles before deposited down on the surface. University of British Columbia virologist Curtis Suttle said in a statement, "Every day, more than 800 million...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/viruses-and-bacteria-are-falling-from-earths-atmosphere
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This gorgeous, light-filled barn home in Suffolk can be yours for $1.26M

Related: Buckley Gray Yeoman "sought out to respect the industrial heritage of the building whilst also providing a contemporary house," says architect Richard Buckley. "The combination of old and new was brought together through careful planning. + Buckley Gray Yeoman Via Dwell Buckley Gray Yeoman, Suffolk Barn Conversion, barn renovation, renovated barns, barn homes, barn conversion suffolk,

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-gorgeous-light-filled-barn-home-in-suffolk-can-be-yours-for-1-26m
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China will make EV manufacturers responsible for battery recycling

Electric carmakers in China now have an added task besides just manufacturing vehicles: collecting and recycling spent batteries. The country's industry ministry put out interim rules this week holding electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers responsible for creating facilities to recycle the batteries in an effort to address waste. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/china-will-make-ev-manufacturers-responsible-for-battery-recycling
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Steve Areen's incredible DIY wagon home built with mostly recycled materials

Steve Areen is one of those people who turns everything into gold. And by gold, I mean magic. I mean soul. We saw it with his lovely dome house in Thailand, and now, what was supposed to be a simple dwelling under the stars in Australia has evolved into an extraordinary modern caravan that he, friends and local artisans built by hand with mostly recycled materials. The flight attendant started with a 5x10 trailer and a curved steel frame, but then the muse stepped in. Called Unity Wagon, the project...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/steve-areens-incredible-diy-wagon-home-built-with-mostly-recycled-materials
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Beautiful cedar-clad Bridge House crosses a ravine in Ontario

The amazing timber house hangs from an inverted V–shaped glulam structure to bridge a ravine near the shores of Mary Lake in Port Sydney, Ontario. Architecture firm LLAMA urban design has a minimal impact on the landscape and celebrates the experience of the place. The house is located two hours north of the city of Toronto, and sits across the steepest part of the ravine. Its overall length– 124 feet– creates a strong linear gesture that allows the residents to immerse themselves...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/beautiful-cedar-clad-bridge-house-crosses-a-ravine-in-ontario
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Amazing new biodegradable insulation only burns after one-hour of fire exposure

100 percent natural insulation from Chilean company Rootman is also resistant to flames. Their product, Thermoroot, absorbs sound and provides thermal performance — and according to its designers, the sustainable insulation starts burning 60 minutes after being exposed to fire. That's in contrast to polystyrene, fiberglass, or polyurethane, which will start burning in three seconds, 15 seconds, or one minute, respectively. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/amazing-new-biodegradable-insulation-only-burns-after-one-hour-of-fire-exposure
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Gorgeous roof garden feeds owners in proposed off-grid Yin & Yang House

Architecture studio Penda unveiled designs for an off-grid home Kassel, Germany with a stunning rooftop garden. Commissioned by a young family who wants to produce most of their own food, the Yin & Yang house features a minimal timber structure with a terraced roof curved in a shape evocative of the yin yang symbol. As shown in the startlingly realistic renderings, Yin & Yang House occupies a small corner lot. With very little ground space for a garden, Penda turned the roof into...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-roof-garden-feeds-owners-in-proposed-off-grid-yin-yang-house
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Breezy solar-powered sponge house is in tune with nature

Nature is celebrated at every turn in The Country House, an environmentally conscious home that embraces indoor-outdoor living in Bien Hoa, Vietnam. Completed by 1+1>2 Architects, the house immediately stands out from its neighbors with its sloped thatch roofs, a nod to Vietnam’s countryside vernacular and a natural cooling mechanism. Built mainly of natural materials, the home also wraps around a lushly landscaped courtyard and boasts a variety of energy-efficient systems from solar cells to rainwater...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/breezy-solar-powered-sponge-house-is-in-tune-with-nature
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Wave-inspired Rainbow Bridge in Long Beach is covered in mini gardens and twinkling LED lights

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/wave-inspired-rainbow-bridge-in-long-beach-is-covered-in-mini-gardens-and-twinkling-led-lights
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Over a third of all cars were electric a century ago

Electric cars seem like cutting-edge technology these days, and it seems like people everywhere are switching, with a full percent of cars running on electricity today. So it might come as a surprise to learn that 100 years ago, 38% of cars were electric. Porsche's first car was electric. The fastest car in the world at the time was electric. Henry Ford and Thomas Edison collaborated on an electric car. Electric cars were the future - a century in the past. In 1900, 40% of cars were powered...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/over-a-third-of-all-cars-were-electric-a-century-ago
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Cable railing expand the view in your favorite spaces

When you picture your dream home, what comes to mind? Lots of open, connected spaces, tons of natural light, a gorgeous view from your deck? If so, then you should be thinking about incorporating cable railing into your exterior and interior spaces. Not only is cable railing an excellent sustainable product option (it’s made with eco-friendly stainless steel), but it also has a minimalist vibe that makes any space feel welcoming and more expansive. Seeing Between the Lines Traditional railings...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/cable-railing-expand-the-view-in-your-favorite-spaces
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NYC's Farm One delivers rare, ultra-fresh produce in just 30 minutes

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/nycs-farm-one-delivers-rare-ultra-fresh-produce-in-just-30-minutes
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Treasure trove of Triassic fossils found at Bears Ears

What may perhaps be the world's greatest cache of Triassic-era fossils was discovered by scientists at Bears Ears National Monument, which recently lost its protected status. Despite vociferous opposition from the Native community and environmentalists, President Trump issued an order in December that shrunk the Monument, which was established by President Obama in late 2016, by 85 percent. This monumental fossil discovery is a reminder of what we stand to lose if protections and support for public...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/treasure-trove-of-triassic-fossils-found-at-bears-ears
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It "sounded like an explosion:" avalanche of trash kills 16 people in Mozambique

A devastating garbage landslide precipitated by heavy rainfall wounded six people and killed 16 in Maputo, Mozambique, The Guardian reported. The 42-acre Hulene Dump — located in the impoverished neighborhood of Hulene — rises nearly 50 feet above residents who live around the edges, and the avalanche consumed over 10 homes. Local Paulina Cosa told The Guardian, "It was late and the rain was pouring down, but I was woken up by something that sounded like an explosion." Related: Via...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/it-sounded-like-an-explosion-avalanche-of-trash-kills-16-people-in-mozambique
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Extreme Arctic warmth deeply concerning, scientists say

The recent bout of warm weather in the far north Arctic Circle is setting new temperature records and unnerving climate scientists. "To have zero degrees [Celcius] at the North Pole in February - it's just wrong," researcher Amelie Meyer told the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's quite worrying."

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/extreme-arctic-warmth-deeply-concerning-scientists-say
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Playful guerrilla group unleashes 50 swings across San Francisco

When you think of objects that embody a spirit of play, you might think of swings. At least that's what seems to come to mind for fun guerrilla group Swing Bomb SF. They installed 50 sneaky swings around San Francisco, delighting residents around the city. Related: Hundreds of colorful swings transform a busy street in Luxembourg

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/playful-guerrilla-group-unleashes-50-swings-across-san-francisco
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3 stacked shipping containers create a diving tower in Denmark

In Denmark, Sweco Architects has transformed an old ferry port into a water recreation spot. Their Water Sports Center Halsskov is an architectural invention, in their words, that will give people access to the water. They said in a statement on the project that it "recycles as many materials as possible from the former port, either directly or through upcycling." Perhaps the most distinctive element of the sports center is a jumping tower comprised of three stacked, bright yellow shipping conta...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/3-stacked-shipping-containers-create-a-diving-tower-in-denmark
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California's "Butt Lady picks up 1,000,000 littered cigarette butts in 3.5 years

Via Oddity Central

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/californias-butt-lady-picks-up-1000000-littered-cigarette-butts-in-3-5-years
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Beautiful eco-friendly living room pops up in downtown Kenmore

A "symbolic living room" with a sustainable approach has sprung up in the heart of downtown Kenmore, Washington. Opened last year, the Kenmore Town Square shows how investment in public spaces can transform a town’s reputation and improve livability. Graham Baba Architects designed the Town Square’s focal point, the $4.5 million Hangar building, which also meets the 2030 Challenge that advocates for carbon-neutral buildings. Located a few miles north of Seattle, Kenmore is shedding...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/beautiful-eco-friendly-living-room-pops-up-in-downtown-kenmore
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Industrial gasholders transformed into luxury modern residences in London

Work has officially completed on the Gasholders residential development in London’s King’s Cross, and the adaptive reuse project is as every bit as stunning as we expected. The trio of Victorian gasholders, an iconic landmark of the city’s industrial past, have been transformed into modern luxury apartments, duplexes, and penthouses under the design direction of Wilkinson Eyre, while Jonathan Tuckey Design led the interior architecture with interiors by No 12 Studio. Created for...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/industrial-gasholders-transformed-into-luxury-modern-residences-in-london
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DNA analysis reveals there are no wild horses left in the world

Researchers have been examining the DNA of horses and what they've discovered completely upends what we thought we knew. According to the research, the last 'wild' horses on the planet are actually descendants of horses domesticated in Kazakhstan 5,500 years ago by the people of the Botai culture. This discovery also means that today's domesticated horses don't come from the Botai, as previously thought. In fact, the origins of domesticated horses are now a mystery. Przewalski's horses,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/dna-analysis-reveals-there-are-no-wild-horses-left-in-the-world
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Buckwheat pillows offer a good night's sleep without hurting the environment

The benefits of switching from an off-gassing synthetic pillow to buckwheat are well-documented by now: The crunchy hulls of this pseudo-cereal are densely packed into a surprisingly heavy pillow that conforms to each new owner's specific contours, providing the kind of sleep dreams are made of. There's no guarantee that mites won't get to them, and certain people susceptible to allergies should proceed with care, but generally, buckwheat pillows last longer than their conventional cousins—especially...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/buckwheat-pillows-offer-a-good-nights-sleep-without-hurting-the-environment
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Neanderthals, not homo sapiens, responsible for 64,000-year-old cave art

Researchers have discovered that Neanderthals, not homo sapiens, created a series of 64,000 year-old cave drawings in Spain. Published in the journal Science, this study marks the first time that Neanderthals have been credited as cave painters while declaring that the works of art themselves are the oldest known cave paintings. Utilizing advanced radioactive dating, the scientists determined that paintings made in three separate caves were far older than originally thought, indicating that the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/neanderthals-not-homo-sapiens-responsible-for-64000-year-old-cave-art
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IKEA renewable electricity offer could save customers 300 per year

IKEA is working for 100 percent renewable energy — producing as much as they consume by 2020 — and they want their customers to be able to live more sustainably too. They partnered with Big Clean Switch to help customers switch to renewable energy, and the collective switch model could save people more than £300 each year. Related: IKEA plans to cut food waste in half by 2020 — here's how

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/ikea-renewable-electricity-offer-could-save-customers-300-per-year
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Nissan to debut its self-driving taxis in Japan

On March 5th, Nissan will begin testing its Easy Ride self-driving taxi service in Yokohama, Japan in hopes of launching the full service by the start of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. In collaboration with Tokyo-based mobile app developer DeNA, Nissan

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/nissan-to-debut-its-self-driving-taxis-in-japan
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The Air Opus pop-up camper inflates in 90 seconds flat

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-air-opus-pop-up-camper-inflates-in-90-seconds-flat
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Tesla-powered 1981 Honda Accord accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds

Electric conversions are popping up more and more as tinkerers put Tesla parts into other vehicles. Electrek recently shared an impressive example: the Teslonda, a Honda Accord equipped with a custom control system from HSR Motors — a company selling Tesla drive units, batteries, and the control systems — and a Chevy Volt battery pack. The Teslonda accelerated from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.7 seconds. Related: Tesla-powered

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/tesla-powered-1981-honda-accord-accelerates-from-0-to-60-mph-in-2-7-seconds
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This modern hiking hotel blends into the dark alpine forests of Italy

The darkened wood façade of the award-winning Hotel Bühelwirt is specially tinted to reflect "the dark green, or often black forest tinge [that] seems to blend nature and topography with the building". Pedevilla Architects designed the building as a natural extension of the breathtaking alpine landscapes of South Tyrol, Italy. The 20-room hotel references traditional hiking hotels of the region. It marries simplicity with modern forms–rectangular forms meet an asymmetrical saddle roof...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-modern-hiking-hotel-blends-into-the-dark-alpine-forests-of-italy
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New 'category 6' may be necessary to describe strengthening storms

Do we need a category six in defining storms? Some climate scientists think so, as tropical cyclones increase in duration, intensity, and strength. Climatologist Michael Mann said, "Scientifically, [six] would be a better description of the strength of 200 miles per hour storms, and it would also better communicate the well-established finding now that climate change is making the strongest storms even stronger." Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-category-6-may-be-necessary-to-describe-strengthening-storms
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Gorgeous site-sensitive home ushers in the outdoors

In Northern California, a spectacular modern home embraces nature in more ways than one. Palo Alto-based Field Architecture designed the spacious residence, named Forty-One Oaks after the property’s oak trees that became the inspirational spark behind the design. The home was envisioned as an extension of the oak-studded landscape, an effect achieved through full-height glazing, a natural materials palette, and preservation of an on-site wildlife corridor through which deer, bobcats, and mountain...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-site-sensitive-home-ushers-in-the-outdoors
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Solar-powered home slides open to the Australian bush and ocean

This lovely family home isn’t just minimalist in appearance—it also emphasizes minimal landscape impact. Australian firm teeland architects designed Tinbeerwah House as a glass pavilion wrapped in sliding hardwood screens to give homeowners control over access to daylight, breezes, privacy, and views. The site-sensitive dwelling also harnesses solar energy for power, collects rainwater for potable use, and even recycles wastewater for irrigation and bush regeneration. Located in...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-home-slides-open-to-the-australian-bush-and-ocean
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Scientists solve the mystery of Turkey's deadly 'Gate to Hell'

According to ancient Romans, across the Mediterranean are places where mortals can access the underworld. These "gates to hell" are marked by stone structures, and some of them, like the gate in Hierapolis (now modern-day Turkey) seem to have supernatural powers.   via images via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/scientists-solve-the-mystery-of-turkeys-deadly-gate-to-hell
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In 2017, price for high-efficiency solar panels fell 37%

In 2017, the price for high-efficiency solar panels dropped from 72¢/W to 45¢/W, representing a 37% decline in cost. The falling price of high-efficiency solar panels is driven by several factors, including American consumer demand for higher solar efficiency to compensate for the higher-than-average energy consumption of the average American and Chinese state investment in high-efficiency solar panel production. The shift is also a result of technological change as solar panels have shifted from poly...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/in-2017-price-for-high-efficiency-solar-panels-fell-37
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The Seychelles creates debt-for-conservation deal with Leonardo DiCaprio

The Seychelles, an island nation in East Africa, recently announced the creation of two new Marine Protected Areas nearly the size of Great Britain. It's part of what The Telegraph called a debt for nature swap: the island nation gets a $20 million debt relief plan backed by investors including our favorite eco hero Leonardo DiCaprio, and according to the Nature Conservancy, the organization that designed the deal, will protect areas from nearly all human activity. Related: Leonardo DiCaprio...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-seychelles-creates-debt-for-conservation-deal-with-leonardo-dicaprio
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Wave of earthquakes shake Yellowstone's supervolcano

Since the start of February, Yellowstone National Park and its supervolcano have been hit with a wave of at least twenty earthquakes and a number of smaller tremors. Although the largest earthquake only registered a 2.9 on the Richter scale while all have struck about five miles below the Earth's surface, this so-called earthquake swarm is noteworthy, though likely not reason for alarm. "While it may seem worrisome, the current seismicity is relatively weak and actually represents an opportunity...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/wave-of-earthquakes-shake-yellowstones-supervolcano
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7 simple designs that solve modern problems - and don't cost a fortune

Clean water. Housing. Storing renewable energy. These are just a few of the issues facing us today that design can take on. Around the world, people have applied design to tackling life's problems, and some have dreamed up solutions that won't break the bank. Check out our list of seven simple designs to meet these challenges and more.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/7-simple-designs-that-solve-modern-problems-and-dont-cost-a-fortune
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Africa's first waste-to-energy plant to supply 30% of Addis Ababa's household electricity needs

Addis Ababa, home to over three million people in Ethiopia, has one landfill: the Koshe dump site. It's about as large as 36 football pitches, according to the United Nations Environment Program. A waste-to-energy plant, Africa's first, could transform the site, burning around 1,400 tons of trash every day.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/africas-first-waste-to-energy-plant-to-supply-30-of-addis-ababas-household-electricity-needs
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Minimalist living meets luxury in the Sturgis Tiny Home

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/minimalist-living-meets-luxury-in-the-sturgis-tiny-home
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Land fight could give tens of thousands of US Native Americans rights in Canada

A land battle in British Columbia could afford indigenous people residing in the United States rights in Canada. Rick Desautel, an America citizen who identifies as Sinixt, shot an elk in Canada 40 miles north of the border, and the British Columbian government decided to bring charges to court. They lost an appeal in December but filed papers last month to appeal again — but The Guardian said this move could have the unintended consequence of giving Native Americans new rights.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/land-fight-could-give-tens-of-thousands-of-us-native-americans-rights-in-canada
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UNStudios striking Paris cultural center contorts for optimal daylight

UNStudio has unveiled competition-winning designs for Centre Culturel DédiéAu 7è Art, a new cultural center that eschews traditional building forms for a twisted, sculptural shape. The eye-catching building, which comprises a cinema and “cultural laboratory,” will become part of EuropaCity, a £2.74 billion tourism and leisure district masterplanned by BIG. Terraced green roofs will top UNStudio’s design to provide thermal insulation, while visually complementing BIG’s “rolling hills”...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/unstudios-striking-paris-cultural-center-contorts-for-optimal-daylight
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This breezy bamboo amphitheater pops up in just 25 days

A beautiful bamboo amphitheater has risen in the lush tropics of Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian studio Bambutec Design crafted the 2,150-square-foot structure with the help of computer modeling in addition to old-fashioned model making by hand. The Bamboo Amphitheater Space Structure was built for the green campus of the Pontifical Catholic University and was assembled in 25 working days. Set on the banks of the Rainha River and screened in by bamboo, this bamboo structure complements its...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-breezy-bamboo-amphitheater-pops-up-in-just-25-days
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Cinematiq glasses are made out of strips from vintage films

Love films? Now you have the opportunity to “lock” real movie scenes into your temples with eyeglasses that feature pieces of actual vintage footage from 16 and 35mm films. The design team used film from old movie theaters, TV stations and private collections to handcraft the soon-to-launch Cinematiq eyewear collection featuring original 16 mm footage from two films– Shogun’s shadow (1989) and Fists of the double K (1973). Zachary Tipton, founder and owner of Cinematiq eyewear and Tipton...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/cinematiq-glasses-are-made-out-of-strips-from-vintage-films
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Researchers charge phone from across the room using freakin' laser beams

Let's face it, charging our smartphones hasn't evolved much over the years. You plug your phone in, or place it on a precise place on a wireless charging pad, and then you wait. But the genius researchers over at the University of Washington have developed a way to charge your phone from across the room using freakin' laser beams! Researchers put a power cell on the back of a smartphone, which can charge up the phone using the energy from the laser, and it can do it just as quickly as a direct...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/researchers-charge-phone-from-across-the-room-using-freakin-laser-beams
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BP's chief economist predicts plastic bans will slash oil demand

Oil giant BP has predicted that increased regulation on plastic pollution around the world will result in decreased demand for petroleum, the key ingredient in most plastic. “We think we’re going to see increasing regulation against some types of petrochemical products, particularly single-use plastics,” BP’s Chief Economist Spencer Dale told Bloomberg. “As a result of that, we have less growth in non-combusted oils than we otherwise would have done.” While petrochemicals is predicted...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/bps-chief-economist-predicts-plastic-bans-will-slash-oil-demand
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Scientists develop the first solar fuels reactor that works at night

Researchers have developed the world's first solar fuels reactor that is able to function at night. Called CONTISOL, the solar fuels reactor is capable of producing fuel such as hydrogen without the intensive greenhouse gas emissions caused when creating the fuel from burning natural gas. CONTISOL is able to run at all hours of the day because it relies on concentrated solar power (CSP), which allows for thermal energy storage. Notably, the reactor uses air, which is abundant, accessible, and non-corrosive,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/scientists-develop-the-first-solar-fuels-reactor-that-works-at-night
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Elon Musk's brother Kimbal is giving away his personal Tesla Model 3

Kimbal Musk, the brother of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, is giving away his Tesla Model 3 — the sixth one ever made. Why would he do that? It's for a good cause: his nonprofit, Big Green, which provides learning gardens for underserved schools. Hit the jump to find out how you could win. Related:

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Here's how to turn your kitchen scraps into clean energy

Each year, 1.3 billion tons of food ends up lost or wasted in the world. That makes up 46 percent of the world’s garbage, 59 percent of which ends up in landfills. While the world’s food waste situation is what you’d call a “doozy,” consumers and companies like HomeBiogas are determined to turn food waste into clean, usable energy. [Image 1: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/200403] What Is HomeBiogas? HomeBiogas is one of several successful projects to come about from Kickstarter....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/heres-how-to-turn-your-kitchen-scraps-into-clean-energy
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What the 'world's loneliest tree' tells us about humanity's impact on Earth

Over 170 miles away from a single other tree, the 'world's loneliest tree,' a Sitka spruce, rests on Campbell Island, around 400 miles south of New Zealand, in the Southern Ocean. New Zealand governor Lord Ranfurly planted the tree sometime in the early 20th century, and researchers are scrutinizing the tree to see what it can tell us about the Anthropocene. They've set a date for the start of the geological age in which humans are the dominant influence on the environment. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/what-the-worlds-loneliest-tree-tells-us-about-humanitys-impact-on-earth
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This idyllic 15-acre farmhouse is the worlds second Living Building residence

Related: + Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-idyllic-15-acre-farmhouse-is-the-worlds-second-living-building-residence
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World's first floating wind farm performing better than anticipated

The 30 megawatt Hywind Scotland floating wind farm run by Statoil and Masdar started operating last fall, and Statoil recently said the farm, a world first, "performed better than expected in its first three full months in production." The floating farm has already survived a winter storm, a hurricane, and wave heights of around 27 feet to power around 20,000 households in the United Kingdom. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/worlds-first-floating-wind-farm-performing-better-than-anticipated
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Green-roofed holiday home is fashioned from three shipping containers

Led by a desire to reduce landscape impact, Melbourne-based Studio Edwards turned to cargotecture for a sustainably minded getaway on the Surf Coast in Victoria, Australia. Raised atop stilts on a steep slope, House 28 was fashioned from a trio of 20-foot shipping containers sourced from nearby Port Melbourne. In addition to minimized site disturbance, the green-roofed holiday home uses a rainwater catchment and filtration system to gather water and features double-glazed windows and doors to increase...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-holiday-home-is-fashioned-from-three-shipping-containers
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Ephemeral timber pavilion doubles as sculpture and film venue in Portugal

This elegant ephemeral pavilion does double duty as a film venue and sculpture that complements the garden grounds of Portugal’s Serralves Museum. Porto-based Diogo Aguiar Studio designed the architectural object, which is made up of curved timber partitions that come together to form two concentric spaces: the main film viewing area and the interstitial space. Diogo Aguiar Studio was selected to design the pavilion, which formed one of Serralves Museum’s five temporary structures...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/ephemeral-timber-pavilion-doubles-as-sculpture-and-film-venue-in-portugal
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Translucent 'hugging' towers could help clean Hong Kong's air pollution

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/translucent-hugging-towers-could-help-clean-hong-kongs-air-pollution
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Multiple dog foods recalled due to contamination with euthanasia drug

If you feed your doggo and puppers foods owned y the J.M. Smucker company (and the list is long), you might want to stop. The company has recalled several brands of food because they are contaminated with the same drug used to euthanize pets. In case you are thinking to yourself, "haven't I heard this before?" - yes, you have. A different company had the exact same issue last year. The FDA states that a small amount of pentobarbital was found in foods like Gravy Train, Kibbles 'N Bits and...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/multiple-dog-foods-recalled-due-to-contamination-with-euthanasia-drug
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How farming with rocks could improve global food security

Scientists at the University of Shefield have learned that farming with crushed silicate rocks mixed into the soil could improve global food security, increase crop yields, promote soil health, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "Human societies have long known that volcanic plains are fertile, ideal places for growing crops without adverse human health effects," study lead author David Beerling told Phys.org, "but until now there has been little consideration for how adding further rocks to soils...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/how-farming-with-rocks-could-improve-global-food-security
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Hedgehog highways make London friendlier for the adorable spiny mammals

Urban areas don't tend to be kind for hedgehogs. There aren't as many hedgerows to go around. As they're declining in Britain, some people are trying to help. One is Michel Birkenwald, a jeweler Atlas Obscura described as "one of London's most enthusiastic engineers of infrastructure for animals." Birkenwald builds hedgehog crossings — and they're pretty darn adorable.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/hedgehog-highways-make-london-friendlier-for-the-adorable-spiny-mammals
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Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski wants her party to talk about climate change

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the senior senator from her state and the chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, wants her party to start talking about climate change. During an address to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' Winter Policy Summit, Murkowski even went so far as to urge Republicans to actually use the words "climate change." "We have to not be afraid to use terms that some might say, that's politically charged," Murkowski said,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/republican-senator-lisa-murkowski-wants-her-party-to-talk-about-climate-change
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Angular Casa Casi Cubo in Chile plays with light, wind and shadow

Casa Casi Cubo in Chile uses geometry and patterns to provide shelter from strong local winds. Architecture firm LAND designed the house as a pavilion-like structure that plays around with different geometries in order to create a balance between protection from the elements and exposing its occupants to expansive views of the sea. The designer deformed a parallelepiped and used pine wood to generate a series of bends that demarcate the edges reflected especially in the roof and the facades of...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/angular-casa-casi-cubo-in-chile-plays-with-light-wind-and-shadow
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New paper-based batteries can be discarded with zero ecological impact

Forget lithium - this Barcelona-based company is creating batteries with paper. Fuelium is developing paper-based batteries designed for disposable diagnostic devices, OZY reported. The company says their product doesn't create toxic wastes requiring complicated recycling processes like some batteries do. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-paper-based-batteries-can-be-discarded-with-zero-ecological-impact
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Efficient Superlofts adapt to homeowners needs over the course of a lifetime

Dutch firm, Marc Koehler Architects Related: + Marc Koehler Architects Via v2com Marc Koehler Architects, super lofts, loft design, amsterdam lofts,

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/efficient-superlofts-adapt-to-homeowners-needs-over-the-course-of-a-lifetime
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Heavenly Organics uses honey to foster peace in conflict zones across India

Amit Hooda hopes to eliminate conflict with sustainable farming. He grew up near a conflict zone in India during the Punjab Insurgency. He also grew up with a respect for nature, and his family home boasted an organic garden and pet buffalo and cow. As an adult, he started Heavenly Organics, a company selling wild honey with the goal of providing ethical jobs and economic growth to foster peace. Wired shared the story of how Hooda is combating terrorism with bees. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/heavenly-organics-uses-honey-to-foster-peace-in-conflict-zones-across-india
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LEED Gold lab by the ocean can withstand flooding and hurricane-force winds

GLUCK+’s new research facility for Duke University boasts beautiful coastal views as well as impressive eco-friendly credentials. Recently crowned LEED Gold, the Dr. Orrin H. Pilkey Research Laboratory in Beaufort, North Carolina features a slew of sustainable elements from use of recycled materials and reduced water use to energy-efficient heating and cooling technologies designed to cut energy costs by 30 percent. The state-of-the-art facility’s most salient sustainability feature, however,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/leed-gold-lab-by-the-ocean-can-withstand-flooding-and-hurricane-force-winds
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Spectacular aerial sculpture hovers above a Madrid plaza

A symphony of color has taken to the air above Plaza Mayor. The instantly recognizable aerial sculpture is the work of none other than American artist Janet Echelman, who the City of Madrid commissioned to help celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Plaza Mayor. Titled 1.78 Madrid, the sculpture “explores the cycle of time” and the far-reaching effects of natural phenomenon and the built environment on our lives. Unveiled February 9 this year, 1.78 Madrid was displayed for a 10-day...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/spectacular-aerial-sculpture-hovers-above-a-madrid-plaza
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Artist creates intricate shadowboxes out of laser cut wood pieces

Related: + Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/artist-creates-intricate-shadowboxes-out-of-laser-cut-wood-pieces
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Volkswagen I.D. Vizzion electric sedan concept takes aim at Tesla's Model S

With a driving range of 413 miles, Volkswagen's latest concept easily beats the Tesla Model S at its own game. Volkswagen has released teaser photos of its new I.D. Vizzion sedan concept, which is going to debut next month at the Geneva Motor Show. The I.D. Vizzion concept is the latest concept from the family of I.D. electric concept cars that VW has released, which started with the I.D. hatchback in late 2016. While the previous I.D. concepts have been previews of VW's future electric models,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/volkswagen-i-d-vizzion-electric-sedan-concept-takes-aim-at-teslas-model-s
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All-female high school team invents solar-powered tent for homeless

Twelve young women from San Fernando High School in California have created a solar-powered tent to serve the growing homeless population in the San Fernando Valley. Over several years, Daniela Orozco and her classmates noticed the stunning increase in people living on the streets of San Fernando, a city of over 24,000 located 20 miles northwest from Downtown Los Angeles. They wanted to act. "Because we come from low-income families ourselves, we can't give them money," Orozco, a senior, told Mashable....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/all-female-high-school-team-invents-solar-powered-tent-for-homeless
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Richard Branson signs deal for India's first super-speedy hyperloop route

Travelers spend around three hours getting from Mumbai to Pune by train today. A hyperloop could revolutionize the trip, slashing it down to 25 minutes. And that's exactly what Richard Branson-backed Virgin Hyperloop One aims to do. They signed an agreement with the state of Maharashtra, as the state announced their intention to construct what would be India's first hyperloop route between Pune and Mumbai, starting with a demonstration track. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/richard-branson-signs-deal-for-indias-first-super-speedy-hyperloop-route
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Nova Scotia Power pioneers new energy storage system using Tesla Powerpacks

Nova Scotia Power in Canada has established a pilot project that utilizes Tesla's Powerpack 2 home batteries and their utility-grade Powerpack batteries to form an improved energy storage system for local wind power. Based in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia, the Intelligent Feed Project aims to bridge any gaps found in the electrical grid by installing Powerpacks where wind turbines are generating surplus energy. These Powerpack batteries would allow power to be stored for a later use, perhaps when there is...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/nova-scotia-power-pioneers-new-energy-storage-system-using-tesla-powerpacks
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Crescent moon-shaped home on Chilean coast inspired by traditional boat-making techniques

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/crescent-moon-shaped-home-on-chilean-coast-inspired-by-traditional-boat-making-techniques
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Winners of tiny house competition pack comfort and functionality into 269 square feet

Modular building company Ryterna modul recently announced the winners of their Architectural Challenge 2018 competition. Participants were tasked with designing a cozy, functional 269 square foot tiny house, with a living area, sleeping area, kitchen, and bathroom. They received 150 projects from designers in 88 countries and narrowed the field down to three winners and an honorable mention.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/winners-of-tiny-house-competition-pack-comfort-and-functionality-into-269-square-feet
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Sunlighten saunas use infrared therapy to lower blood pressure and improve health

The Sunlighten infrared saunas use far infrared radiation to lower blood pressure, aid in weight loss, and support detoxification. The founders of the company, one of whom overcame a decade of illness using infrared therapy, created Sunlighten as a way of bringing this technology to people who want to achieve their wellness goals, develop healthy lifestyles, and maintain vitality for the long-term. Sunlighten mPulse infrared saunas are built using sustainably harvested wood, feature no toxic glues,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/sunlighten-saunas-use-infrared-therapy-to-lower-blood-pressure-and-improve-health
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Tesla Roadster in space could collide with Venus or Earth

Elon Musk isn't the only person amused by a Tesla in space — scientists at the University of Toronto and Charles University have devoted their attention to figuring out just what might happen to the Roadster officially classified by NASA as a celestial object. Researchers think the space-traveling car will ultimately crash into Venus or Earth — but don't panic yet. University of Toronto Scarborough assistant professor Hanno Rein said the "probability of that happening even within the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/tesla-roadster-in-space-could-collide-with-venus-or-earth
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Eco-hotel cabins float on a lake in the south of France

Paris-based Atelier Lavit recently won our hearts with their stunning treehouse guestroom, but the forest retreat isn’t the only dreamy hotel they’ve created. The architecture firm is also behind Cabanes des Grands Cepages, an eco-hotel comprising ten timber suites—some of which are built to float on water. Set in the south of France in an idyllic fishing reserve near Avignon, these ten units on the shore of a la Lionne lake embrace elegance through simplicity with minimal embellishments and...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/eco-hotel-cabins-float-on-a-lake-in-the-south-of-france
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Unusual Dutch bridge embraces flooding in a thought-provoking way

Modern bridges are typically built at least a foot higher than the expected 50-year flood, but that’s not so for this unusual bridge built on the floodplains in the flood-prone Dutch city of Nijmegen. NEXT Architects and H+N+S Landscape Architects designed the Zalige Bridge, a footbridge that becomes partly submerged when the water levels rise, forcing people to use the exposed concrete blocks as stepping-stones to traverse the water. The playful, thought-provoking design exemplifies a Dutch relationship...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/unusual-dutch-bridge-embraces-flooding-in-a-thought-provoking-way
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This company makes leggings with biodegradable, compostable fabric

Have you ever heard the words 'biodegradable' and 'compostable' associated with activewear? Fitness company Aqua Vida offers leggings and shorts made with Amni Soul Eco fabric that is 100 percent recyclable and reusable - and in an anaerobic landfill or compost heap, will decompose in less than three years. Related: + Aqua Vida + Aqua Vida Sustainability Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-company-makes-leggings-with-biodegradable-compostable-fabric
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Your shampoo and deodorant are as bad for you as car exhaust

That stuff you use to get ready in the morning? It could be as bad for your health and the planet as car pollution. A new study shows that half of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in our air may come from products like shampoo, perfume, deodorant, as well as household products like paint, bleach and pesticides. Every time you wash your hair, paint your house, spray your hair, put on deoderant or paint your nails, you are making the air quality in your home and city worse - not to mention the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/your-shampoo-and-deodorant-are-as-bad-for-you-as-car-exhaust
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Breast cancer spread connected to amino acid in asparagus

Scientists have linked the spread of the disease breast cancer to a compound that's in asparagus and several other foods, The Guardian reported. Studies with mice reveals asparagine drives the advance of the cancer, and when they reduced asparagine in creatures with breast cancer, the amount of "secondary tumors in other tissues" dropped.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/breast-cancer-spread-connected-to-amino-acid-in-asparagus
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Pepsi launches new drink option with reusable bottle

Soda is struggling — sales of non-diet soda have dropped by over 25 percent during the last 20 years, according to Co.Design. PepsiCo is trying something new: an product they're calling Drinkfinity with reusable, BPA-free bottles. Users mix the contents of ingredient Pods into water to create beverages Drinkfinity's website boasts are "unapologetically less sweet."

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/pepsi-launches-new-drink-option-with-reusable-bottle
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The Netherlands plans 26,910-square-foot floating solar farm at sea

Around 26,910 square feet of floating solar panels could provide clean energy for the Netherlands.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-netherlands-plans-26910-square-foot-floating-solar-farm-at-sea
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One of the last remaining communities still farming like the Aztecs

The village of San Gregorio Atlapulco is one of the only remaining communities that farms in the Aztec-era agricultural tradition. Located in Mexico City’s Xochimilco municipality, San Gregorio Atlapulco is home to vast fields known as chinampas, small islands which are connected by canals used for irrigation and transportation of crops and labor. Tenochtitlan, the Aztec island capital located in the middle of the Lake of Texcoco, was once fed by an integrated, complex system of chinampas....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/one-of-the-last-remaining-communities-still-farming-like-the-aztecs
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Gorgeous timber home in the UK blends local vernacular with sustainable design

Related: The main superstructure is formed of a highly-insulated Timber frame with larch cladding fixed externally and internally. An air source Heat pump combined with Solar Thermal panels provides all hot water and heating needs. Wastewater is treated in a new onsite Bio Disk Treatment plant. All windows and Doors are either triple and double glazed units in a timber and aluminium composite frame. + RX Architects Photography by Ashley Gendek RX Architects, Chalfront Residence,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-timber-home-in-the-uk-blends-local-vernacular-with-sustainable-design
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"We are not prepared" for climate changescientists issue bleak warning

Researchers have determined that countries around the world are failing to fulfill their greenhouse gas reduction commitments under the Paris climate agreement, inevitably subjecting the world to unpredictable extreme weather. In a study published in the journal Science Advances, 

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/we-are-not-prepared-for-climate-change-scientists-issue-bleak-warning
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Wooden home designed to withstand extreme weather assembled in just two days

Related: + Borren Staalenhoef Architecten BV bna Via Archdaily Het Kulkje Vlieland, Borren Staalenhoef Architecten BV bna,

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/prefab-wood-home-designed-to-withstand-extreme-coastal-weather-was-assembled-in-two-days
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300 artificial islands in Dubai, 'The World,' may get another chance

The World, an archipelago of 300 artificial countries planned for Dubai, met an untimely end right before the 2008 financial crisis. But construction is underway once again. The Guardian's Oliver Wainwright reported, "After a decade in limbo, The World is back - with more ambitious plans than ever before." Related: Via The Guardian Images via Wikimedia Commons (1,2,3)

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/300-artificial-islands-in-dubai-the-world-may-get-another-chance
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Green-roofed house blends beautifully into a Mediterranean landscape

Giuseppe Gurrieri Studio completed a beautiful new home for artists in Sicily complements its Mediterranean environment using natural materials and landscaping. The home, called Casa ECS, was also created with a major focus on sustainability. Powered by renewable energy, the building is topped with a green roof and built with thick earthen walls that ensure effective insulation. . Located in the town of Scicli, the 230-square-meter Casa ECS is set atop a series of terraces that gently...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-house-blends-beautifully-into-a-mediterranean-landscape
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Dreamy cabin is the perfect lakeside escape for large families

Montreal-based YH2 Architecture has given the traditional lakeside cottage a modern refresh in Window on the Lake, a minimalist timber cabin that derives its name from its stunning glazed end wall. Located just steps away from the shores of Lac Plaisant in Quebec’s Mauricie region, the gabled dwelling features a clean and minimalist design so as not to detract from its surroundings. The spacious family cottage sleeps up to 12 across two floors. Built of timber inside and out, Window...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/dreamy-cabin-is-the-perfect-lakeside-escape-for-large-families
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Pauline van Dongen unveils backpack made with 'energy harvesting textile'

Related: + Via

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Pauline van Dongen unveils backpack made with 'energy harvesting textile'

Related: + Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/pauline-van-dongen-unveils-backpack-made-with-energy-harvesting-textile
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Prefab wood home designed to withstand extreme coastal weather was assembled in two days

Related: + Borren Staalenhoef Architecten BV bna Via Archdaily Het Kulkje Vlieland, Borren Staalenhoef Architecten BV bna,

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/prefab-wood-home-designed-to-withstand-extreme-coastal-weather-was-assembled-in-two-days
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Graphene filter made out of soybeans makes water from Sydney Harbor drinkable

Imagine if we could create clean water from any freshwater source - no matter how dirty - in just one step. Australian scientists have done just that with a filtration technique that utilizes graphene film. It's so effective that even the filthiest water was clean enough to drink after passing through the filter.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/graphene-filter-made-out-of-soybeans-makes-water-from-sydney-harbor-drinkable
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New school in India will prioritize happiness and emotional intelligence

You won't find the students at Riverbend School near Chennai, India in a traditional classroom. They might be in an ideation lab or meditation room - this school is planning to focus on personal happiness, and turning out children who will give back to the world in a positive way. Designed by architecture studio Kurani, the campus of the Riverbend School was inspired by villages - where, according to anthropologists, personal relationships are strongest. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-school-in-india-will-prioritize-happiness-and-emotional-intelligence
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Dubai tests first autonomous mobility pods in the world

10 passengers can fit inside new autonomous mobility pods Dubai is testing. The city's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) working with company Next Future Transportation ran the first tests of the self-contained, self-driving units at the World Government Summit, and they were a success. They can operate for three hours with the help of a battery, or charge up again in six hours. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/dubai-tests-first-autonomous-mobility-pods-in-the-world
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Three border collies tear through a charred Chilean forest with backpacks full of seeds

Over 1.4 million acres were burned in Chile in 2017, in the country's worst wildfire season in history, according to Mother Nature Network. Left behind was a ravaged landscape - but a furry team came to the rescue. Three border collies were outfitted with special backpacks filled with seeds, and sent off to dash through the forest. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/three-border-collies-tear-through-a-charred-chilean-forest-with-backpacks-full-of-seeds
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Student ditches cramped dorm to live large in a self-built tiny house

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/student-ditches-cramped-dorm-to-live-large-in-a-self-built-tiny-house
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Peru protects one of world's last great untouched forests

In collaboration with local and international conservation groups, the Peruvian government has established Yaguas National Park in the country's far eastern territory, in which millions of acres of pristine rainforest will be permanently protected. “This is a place where the forest stretches to the horizon,” Corine Vriesendorp, a conservation ecologist at The Field Museum in Chicago, told the New York Times. “This is one of the last great intact forests on the globe.” The forest is so massive...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/peru-protects-one-of-worlds-last-great-untouched-forests
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No one knows why these bees build incredible spiraling hives

Caution: after what you are about to see, you may never be satisfied with your run-of-the-mill honeycomb again. That's because these design-savvy bees weren't content to live in generic boxes like most bees, so they made their hives look like something that could have come out of the mind of Zaha Hadid herself. Known as sugarbag bees (Tetragonula carbonaria), the insects live in Australia and create an unusual single-layer spiraling hive that is completely unlike the traditional flat beehive....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/no-one-knows-why-these-bees-build-incredible-spiraling-hives
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One in four of world's largest cities under water stress

Cape Town, South Africa is rapidly approaching what has been called "Day Zero," the moment when the diverse metropolitan area of nearly 4 million runs out of clean drinking water. While Cape Town has taken drastic measures to conserve water, it is simply not enough to avoid the imminent crisis. With Cape Town in the news, it's important to understand which other major cities around the world are also at risk. Lack of water is truly a global problem; one in four of the world's largest cities are currently...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/one-in-four-of-worlds-largest-cities-under-water-stress
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Metal-clad Treehouse for "no-commute lifestyles" mimics Portlands forests

With projects like LEVER Architecture’s recently completed Treehouse, it’s little wonder Portland, Ore. scores high marks for livability and sustainability. Located on the Marquam Hill campus of the Oregon Health & Science University (OSHU), Treehouse caters to those interested in a “live/work/no-commute lifestyle”. Designed for mixed use, the seven-story houses 69 apartment units as well as retail on the ground floor. Taking cues from the forest, Treehouse is wrapped in a...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/metal-clad-treehouse-for-no-commute-lifestyles-mimics-portlands-forests
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Japanese builder unveils plans for worlds tallest timber skyscraper in Tokyo

Japanese builder and developer Sumitomo Forestry has unveiled designs for the world’s tallest timber skyscraper in the heart of Tokyo. Designed by Nikken Sekkei, the 1,148-foot-tall wooden tower will form part of the W350 Project, a mixed-use environmentally friendly development that the firms aim to complete in 2041 to mark Sumitomo’s 350th anniversary. The company says these steel-and-timber structures will help “transform the city into a forest.” Early renderings of the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/japanese-builder-unveils-plans-for-worlds-tallest-timber-skyscraper-in-tokyo
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Nature takes center stage at this renovated Soviet resort in Georgia

An old Soviet resort received a modern makeover that transformed it into a stunning mountain retreat facing the dramatic Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia. Tbilisi-based duo Nata Janberidze and Keti Toloraia restored the brutalist building as the new home of the Rooms Hotels Kazbegi, named after a 19th-century Georgian poet. The building combines rustic and industrial aesthetics as a way of reconciling its architectural legacy with the appreciation of its alpine surroundings. It features 155...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/nature-takes-center-stage-at-this-renovated-soviet-resort-in-georgia
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South Africa declares national disaster amid water crisis

South Africa's has declared a national disaster of the country's devastating drought. Although Cape Town has pushed back day zero - the day that the city runs out of water - until June 4, the country re-assesed the magnitude of the drought and determined that it has reached disaster proportions.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/south-africa-declares-national-disaster-amid-water-crisis
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Nature-based preschool trend flourishes across the United States

Over 250 nature-based preschools have popped up around America, according to a recent survey cited by Public Radio International (PRI) - and that's two-thirds more than in 2017. The schools, which offer lots of play outdoors, have been trendy in Europe for a long time, but the idea is picking up speed now across the Atlantic. Advocate Richard Louv told PRI, "There is a new body of evidence out there that really shows a connection, at least, between spending more time in nature and being healthier,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/nature-based-preschool-trend-flourishes-across-the-united-states
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Ocean Cleanup Project launches San Francisco base in Pacific trash-busting bid

The Ocean Cleanup Project seeks to dismantle the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, guided by an ambitious design concept and the development of new technology to tackle the pollution threat. First conceived in 2013 by aerospace engineering student Boyan Slat, the Ocean Cleanup Project has recently announced the location of its home base, a former naval station in San Francisco Bay. From here, the Ocean Cleanup Project will manufacture, then launch, the first of its giant trash-collecting booms. With...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/ocean-cleanup-project-launches-san-francisco-base-in-pacific-trash-busting-bid
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Moya Power tests sheeting material to harvest wind power from London's Crossrail

We can harness the power of wind in a field or on the ocean, but what about in drafty train tunnels? 27-year-old Charlotte Slingsby's startup Moya Power seeks to generate electricity capturing wind energy in existing infrastructure, Wired reported. The company employs a lightweight sheeting material to harvest low grade wind power. They have a pilot project underway on the London Crossrail. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/moya-power-tests-sheeting-material-to-harvest-wind-power-from-londons-crossrail
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Cities in Germany to offer free public transit in fight against pollution

In what has been described as a radical move for Germany, several German cities will trial free public transportation services in an effort to reduce car usage and related pollution. “Effectively fighting air pollution without any further unnecessary delays is of the highest priority for Germany,” wrote German environment minister Barbara Hendricks and two colleagues in a letter to EU environment commissioner Karmenu Vella.  Other pollution-fighting proposals in Germany include stricter regulations...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/cities-in-germany-to-offer-free-public-transit-in-fight-against-pollution
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This incredible geodesic dome home could be yours for $475k

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-incredible-geodesic-dome-home-could-be-yours-for-475k
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Trump budget proposes huge cut to EPA and climate research

The Trump Administration released its fiscal 2019 budget proposal on February 12th, revealing its desire to deeply cut funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If adopted, the budget would cut the EPA's budget by 23 percent and eliminate nearly all funding for climate change research. The Administration described the budget as a return to the true mission of the EPA by reducing “unnecessary reporting burdens on the regulated community” and ending programs that “create unnecessary...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/trump-budget-proposes-huge-cut-to-epa-and-climate-research
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Platio unveils next-gen solar sidewalk that can charge electric vehicles

The sidewalks of the future could be paved with walkable solar panels from Hungarian startup Platio - and that clean energy could power electric cars. They recently installed their modular recycled plastic system at an EV charging station at one of real estate company Prologis' facilities. The pavers cover just over 50 square feet and boast an output of 720 watts.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/platio-unveils-next-gen-solar-sidewalk-that-can-charge-electric-vehicles
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Plants appear to lose consciousness when sedated

Are plants conscious? It's hard for us to know for sure, but a new study probes the issue by doling out anesthesia to plants. Our anesthetics work on the greenery - but just what are they working on? University of Bonn plant cell biologist Frantisek Baluska told The New York Times, "Plants are not just robotic, stimulus-response devices. They're living organisms which have their own problems, maybe something like humans feeling pain or joy. In order to navigate this complex life, they must have some...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/plants-appear-to-lose-consciousness-when-sedated
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Energy-neutral luxury houseboat floats in Haarlem waters

Filled with light and stunning views, modern houseboats in the Netherlands are things of envy—especially this new gem by VanOmmeren-architects. The Amsterdam-based studio recently completed Houseboat Haarlem Shuffle, an energy-neutral floating villa powered by solar energy and two heat pumps. The gorgeous home balances the need for privacy with maximizing landscape views. Located in the Spaarne River, Houseboat Haarlem Shuffle is a spacious 210-square-meter build spread out across...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/energy-neutral-luxury-houseboat-floats-in-haarlem-waters
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Proposed Swedish bridge offers stellar river views with amphitheater-like seating

Erik Andersson Architects has proposed a new type of bridge for Kalix, Sweden that does more than just connect riverbanks—it also doubles as coveted public space. The Swedish Traffic Administration tapped the architecture firm for the proposal in anticipation of the upcoming 2019 replacement of an existing bridge over the Kalix River. The conceptual bridge extends outwards over the water to form amphitheater-like seating where the public can gather and get closer to the river. Located...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/proposed-swedish-bridge-offers-stellar-river-views-with-amphitheater-like-seating
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Eight prototypes for Trump's wall near US-Mexico border pass military tests for impenetrability

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ban1t6XnTSt/ Related: Solar-powered ‘ecotopia’ proposed as alternative to Trump’s border wall Via Dezeen

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/eight-prototypes-for-trumps-wall-near-us-mexico-border-pass-military-tests-for-impenetrability
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New research reveals that sea levels could rise 1.5 inches every year

You know how we've been freaking out about how quickly global warming is causing ice to melt and sea levels to rise? Turns out, we weren't panicking nearly enough. New satellite data shows that sea levels will continue to rise at a pace that is much faster than anyone predicted - at least 1.5 inches PER YEAR. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences analyzed 25 years of satellite data from across the planet to determine how far sea levels have risen, and how much more they may rise...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-research-reveals-that-sea-levels-could-rise-1-5-inches-every-year
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Meet your gadget's next power supply: you

+ University at Buffalo Lead photo by Unsplash

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/meet-your-gadgets-next-power-supply-you
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Australia's solar energy capacity could almost double in one year

Australia seems to be in the midst of a solar power boom. The Guardian reported industry analysts said the country's solar energy capacity could nearly double in a single year thanks to large-scale solar farms and a month of rooftop installations that has broken records. Related: Via The Guardian Images via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/australias-solar-energy-capacity-could-almost-double-in-one-year
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New family of antibiotics discovered in soil offers hope

Antibiotic resistance threatens humanity even as superbugs are discovered in places like pig farms. But a recent discovery offers new hope. A Rockefeller University-led team of scientists found a new family of antibiotics in dirt, the BBC reported. The researchers hope the natural compounds could be used to fight infections that are difficult to treat. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-family-of-antibiotics-discovered-in-soil-offers-hope
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Scientists dash to explore Antarctic ecosystem hidden by ice for 120,000 years

Scientists are seeking to explore an underwater area previously covered by the Antarctic ice shelf for 120,000 years. Climate change is affecting every corner of the globe and while its challenges are well known, the dramatic changes also open up new opportunities. The recent breaking away of a trillion-ton iceberg the size of Delaware from Antarctica's Larsen C Ice Shelf

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/scientists-dash-to-explore-antarctic-ecosystem-hidden-by-ice-for-120000-years
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DFA's flood-proof towers could survive six feet of sea level rise in New York City

New York-based architecture firm DFA envisioned a cluster of 19 cylindrical apartment towers, wrapped in net-shaped window frames and lots of vegetation, for Pier 40 in Manhattan. The proposal aims to address the city’s lack of affordable housing and flood resistant buildings. The towers will comprise housing units, recreational and commercial spaces and would occupy the area currently occupied by car parking facilities and a football field. The entire development is expected to function...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/dfas-flood-proof-towers-could-survive-six-feet-of-sea-level-rise-in-new-york-city
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Georgia considers plan to build America's first truck-only highway

Georgia is mulling over the idea of a highway just for trucks. The Georgia Department of Transportation is considering the 40-mile stretch where cars wouldn't be allowed to drive - and WABE Radio says it would be the first of its kind in America. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/georgia-considers-plan-to-build-americas-first-truck-only-highway
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Gigantic murals of local flora sprout on buildings around the world

These beautiful plant-themed murals adorn building facades in cities around the world. Muralist Mona Caron creates these intricate artworks by selecting plants native to each city and teams up with local and international organizations to bring a variety of social and environmental causes to public attention. The San Francisco-based artist selects plants that she finds in each city where she paints and uses them as symbolic references to local history, social issues and potentials for future growth....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/gigantic-murals-of-local-flora-sprout-on-buildings-around-the-world
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Clothing company removes 1,000,000 pounds of trash from global waters

Via Treehugger

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/clothing-company-removes-1000000-pounds-of-trash-from-global-waters
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Snhetta unveils designs for worlds first energy-positive hotel in the Arctic Circle

Snøhetta has revealed designs for the world’s first energy-positive hotel in the Arctic Circle—an incredible proposal given the region’s below-freezing temperatures. Located at the foot of Svartisen, Norway’s second largest glacier, the circular Svart hotel will offer panoramic 360-degree views of the fjord and use solar panels to produce more energy than it needs. The sustainable building is being developed in collaboration with Arctic Adventures of Norway, Asplan Viak and Skanska. Set...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/snohetta-unveils-designs-for-worlds-first-energy-positive-hotel-in-the-arctic-circle
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BIG and CRA break ground on greenery-infused Singapore skyscraper

Bjarke Ingels Group and Carlo Ratti Associati have broken ground on a new nature-infused skyscraper that’s bringing Singapore a step closer to its ‘City in a Garden’ vision. Located in the heart of the financial district, the 280-meter-tall Singapore Tower will be one of the city’s tallest and offer a mixed-use program including an “office of the future,” residences, and retail. Greenery is integrated into the multiple parts of the building from a public rainforest plaza and park on the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/big-and-cra-break-ground-on-greenery-infused-singapore-skyscraper
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Why Trump's $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan is a disaster for the environment

Trump has finally revealed his much-hyped infrastructure plan So what does this mean for the environment? Trump's infrastructure plan aims to speed up environmental reviews for projects. Part of this proposal would give Secretary Zinke control over reviewing oil and gas pipelines in National Parks. Currently, pipelines require congressional authorization. Trump's proposal also weakens protections provided by the Endangered Species Act. https://twitter.com/diaconangelo/status/963071031442313216 "America...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/why-trumps-1-5-trillion-infrastructure-plan-is-a-disaster-for-the-environment
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BEEcosystem observation hives can be installed inside or outdoors

Today in the United States there are 3.5 million fewer beehives than there were in 1947, a worrying decline given that bees pollinate one out of every three bites of food. Addressing the need for more bees, and in general new awareness about their crucial role as pollinators, Dustin Betz and Mike Zaengle teamed up to design the hexagonal BEEcosystem observation hive. Safely installed either inside or outside, the modular hive can be stacked for growth in much the same way honeybees expand their combs....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/beecosystem-observation-hives-can-be-installed-inside-or-outdoors
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Hanergy's thin solar panels break multiple world records for efficiency

The international energy corporation Hanergy was recently lauded for its US-based subsidiary Alta Devices' newest,  solar production module, the highest efficiency single-junction solar module ever. With a 25.1% conversion efficiency, the module is capable of powering drones, electric vehicles, and sensors that were once out of reach for solar power. Solar modules from Hanergy's subsidiaries Solibro, and MiaSole have also broken efficiency records - double glass CIGS solar modules at 18.72 percent...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/hanergys-thin-solar-panels-break-multiple-world-records-for-efficiency
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Queen of England bans plastic bottles and straws at royal estates

Plastic no longer has the royal stamp of approval. Queen Elizabeth II recently banned plastic straws and bottles on the royal estates with the goal of reducing plastic use. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said "there's a strong desire to tackle this issue" of plastic among the royal household. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/queen-of-england-bans-plastic-bottles-and-straws-at-royal-estates
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The North Face unveils a geodesic tent that can withstand 60 mph winds

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-north-face-unveils-a-geodesic-tent-that-can-withstand-60-mph-winds
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Scientists build an alien ocean to test NASA submarine

  Researchers at Washington State University have constructed a replica of the oceans of Titan to test a NASA submarine for an eventual mission to Saturn's largest moon. The scientists replicated the conditions of Titan's oceans, including temperatures of -300 degree Fahrenheit and a liquid content of methane and ethane rather than water. They were even able to reproduce the atmospheric cycle predicted to exist on Titan, which features ethane-methane snow and rain. This feature of Titan draws...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/scientists-build-an-alien-ocean-to-test-nasa-submarine
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The Treebox is an amazing modern home set high up in the treetops

This treehouse-like dwelling in Texas provides its guests with a feeling of living among the treetops. Architecture studio Wernerfield designed PH2 Treebox as a structure raised several meters off the ground, with the living quarters creating a sensation of being protected by the surrounding forest. The architects were commissioned to design an addition to an existing split-level house on a wooded property in Dallas. The team responded with a design that takes its cue from the form of the main...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-treebox-is-an-amazing-modern-home-set-high-up-in-the-treetops
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Praying mantises wearing tiny glasses help researchers discover new type of 3D vision

This praying mantis isn't just wearing minuscule 3D glasses for the cute factor, but to help scientists learn more about 3D vision. A Newcastle University team discovered a novel form of 3D vision, or stereo vision, in the insects - and their findings could have implications for visual processing in robots. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/praying-mantises-wearing-tiny-glasses-help-researchers-discover-new-type-of-3d-vision
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Massive eco-resort with a theme park to rise on Vietnams beaches

The Vietnamese government has given the green light to Mui Dinh Ecopark, a massive eco-resort expected to become one of Asia’s largest hospitality and leisure developments. Designed by architecture firm Chapman Taylor’s Bangkok studio, the mega-project will span 1,800 acres and comprise seven hotels for a total of 7,000 rooms in addition to a theme park, 500 villas, casino, beach club, and mountain clubhouse. The project is envisioned as a “sustainable destination.” Set on...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/massive-eco-resort-with-a-theme-park-to-rise-on-vietnams-beaches
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David Chipperfield Architects reveal designs for Hamburgs tallest tower

Hot on the heels of Herzog & de Meuron’s recently completed Elbphilharmonie, David Chipperfield Architects has revealed designs for the German city’s next big architecture project: Elbtower. Towering above the skyline at 230 meters (755 feet), the sculptural mixed-use building will be the tallest building in the city and serve as a counterpoint to Elbphilharmonie to the west. David Chipperfield Architects’ designs for Elbtower won an international design competition that sought...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/david-chipperfield-architects-reveal-designs-for-hamburgs-tallest-tower
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Vacant lot transformed into urban bee farm in Detroit

"Work hard, stay bumble," is the motto of Detroit nonprofit Detroit Hives. The organization aims to conserve honeybees by turning abandoned lots into community urban bee farms. Black Enterprise reported so far they've transformed one lot into a space with vegetable garden plots and three hives. Related: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9YDsP7BEPI

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/vacant-lot-transformed-into-urban-bee-farm-in-detroit
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The sun is getting dimmer - but it won't let us off the hook for global warming

If you were thinking of buying stock in sunscreen, don't. Scientists say that Earth's life-giving orb of light is dimming, and by 2050, it will be significantly dimmer than its peak, leaving us a colder, cooler world than the one we know. If this has you thinking that this is at least positive news for global warming, brace yourself: while we might get a short reprieve, in the long run, we are still as screwed as ever. The sun has a regular 11-year cycle in which solar radiation rises...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-sun-is-getting-dimmer-but-it-wont-let-us-off-the-hook-for-global-warming
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86% of teens in study have traces of BPA in their bodies

A vast majority of teenagers in a recent study had traces of Bisphenol A (BPA) inside of their bodies, according to the University of Exeter. They tested 94 17 to 19-year-olds and found BPA in 86 percent. The researchers are calling for better packaging labeling to allow people to pick BPA-free products. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/86-of-teens-in-study-have-traces-of-bpa-in-their-bodies
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NASA officially logs Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster as a celestial object

Elon Musk's red space-traveling Tesla Roadster continues to make history. NASA has now listed it as a celestial object - in the same system tracking bodies in the solar system like the planets. Meteorologist Eric Holthaus tweeted the news and a link to the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's HORIZONS Web-Interface so you can check it out - and the listing reveals a few details about what else was aboard that Tesla. Related: Elon Musk releases historic video of Starman cruising through space...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/nasa-officially-logs-elon-musks-tesla-roadster-as-a-celestial-object
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Sinking island nation of Tuvalu is actually growing

The Pacific island nation of Tuvalo has long been considered at great risk to sinking beneath the rising sea levels of climate change. However, scientists have learned that Tuvalo is actually increasing in size, with the island's total land area having grown 2.9 percent between 1971 and 2014.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/sinking-island-nation-of-tuvalu-is-actually-growing
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This amazing green office is covered with native plants that were rescued on-site

Related: + Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-amazing-green-office-is-covered-with-native-plants-that-were-rescued-on-site
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"Super Wood" is as strong as steel

It's a twig, it's a branch, it's... Super Wood! Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a so-called "super wood" that is stronger than many titanium alloys. The research team used a two-step process to drastically increase the density of the wood, thus reinforcing its strength to ten times that of traditional wood.  "It is as strong as steel, but six times lighter," research team co-leader Teng Li told ScienceDaily. "It takes 10 times more energy to fracture than natural wood....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/super-wood-is-as-strong-as-steel
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Yurt-inspired visitor's center in China blends into its exceptional surroundings

Mongolian yurts inspired the shape of this gorgeous visitor center in China. Architecture firm HDD combined locally sourced stone and used wooden beams to create a multifunctional space where local children can play and read. The Mulan Weichang Visitors Center also offers overnight accommodation and a great spot for astronomy enthusiasts to observe the night sky. The building is located in the north east of Hebei province, an area connected to inner Mongolia grasslands where ancient Chinese emperors...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/yurt-inspired-visitors-center-in-china-blends-into-its-exceptional-surroundings
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Scott Pruitt thinks global warming could be favorable for humans

Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt continues to spew all sorts of ideas about climate change - many departing from mainstream climate science, according to The Guardian. In a recent interview with Nevada TV station News 3, Pruitt suggested global warming could be beneficial for people. He said, "Do we know what the ideal surface temperature should be in the year 2100 or year 2018? It's fairly arrogant for us to think we know exactly what it should be in 2100." Re...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/scott-pruitt-thinks-global-warming-could-be-favorable-for-humans
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