Reclaimed NYC water towers are upcycled into a NEST playscape in Brooklyn

A giant NEST has landed on the roof of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum — and it’s not for the birds.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/reclaimed-nyc-water-towers-are-upcycled-into-a-nest-playscape-in-brooklyn
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Paris bans up to 60% of cars amidst record heat wave

As France suffers through a record heat wave, air pollution rates intensify. The solution? A Parisian car ban for less eco-friendly automobiles, starting July 1 until the hot weather breaks.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/paris-bans-up-to-60-of-cars-amidst-record-heat-wave
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Native bees are going extinct without much buzz

While the nation buzzes about the massive die-off of honeybees, native bumblebees are quietly going extinct.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/native-bees-are-going-extinct-without-much-buzz
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This new community in Tampa is set to be the worlds healthiest neighborhood

A Tampa neighborhood design just became the first in the world to earn a WELL Design & Operations designation from the Delos International WELL Building Institute, a global community standard for wellness. You may have heard of the Delos company from advocates such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Bill Clinton, or you may have heard about it for creating the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), a global movement designed to transform communities and buildings in ways that promote health and...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-new-community-in-tampa-is-set-to-be-the-worlds-healthiest-neighborhood
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Eco toilets empower women and save nature in Colombia

Jenifer Colpas spends her days installing toilets, but her work has won her accolades as a Global Changemaker, Young Champion of the Earth and most recently as a winner of the United Nation’s Lead 2030 Challenge. For Colpas, her unique waterless toilet design is more than just a bathroom — its an unlikely hero and an opportunity to empower women, protect watersheds and finally flush widespread sanitation-related illness down the drain for good.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/eco-toilets-empower-women-and-save-nature-in-colombia
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A prefabricated family home boasts an impressively small carbon footprint

Set on four idyllic acres at the edge of a small village in North West England, the Zinc House is not only a stunning design but also boasts a small carbon footprint.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-prefabricated-family-home-boasts-an-impressively-small-carbon-footprint
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Hit the road in style this summer in this ship-inspired travel trailer

Inspired to take a long summer adventure in a sweet tiny camper? Well, French start-up Carapate has unveiled a 10.5-foot long, boat-like travel trailer for adventurous souls to travel in style and comfort.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/hit-the-road-in-style-this-summer-in-this-ship-inspired-travel-trailer
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Climate change will push 120 million into poverty

New studies by the United Nations and Stanford University show that the extreme weather and hotter temperatures associated with climate change are — not surprisingly — making the poor poorer and the rich richer.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/climate-change-will-push-120-million-into-poverty
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Why co-living might be the perfect situation for you

While a college dorm room might come to mind when you hear the phrase co-living, that type of shared housing is just one example of what the concept means for both those deep in their studies and career-bound peeps, too.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/why-co-living-might-be-the-perfect-situation-for-you
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Deforestation and climate change combined may split Amazon in two

Deforestation is a well-documented public enemy in the Amazon, but new research suggests that the climate crisis, when coupled with the destruction of trees, could mean the end of the rainforest as we know it. The Amazon contains ten percent of the world’s biodiversity, but the synergistic impact of a changing climate and tree clearing could destroy up to 58 percent of the trees by 2050 and effectively split the forest in two. A new study, published in Nature Climate Change, developed and applied...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/deforestation-and-climate-change-combined-may-split-amazon-in-two
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The World Surf League is pledging to eliminate single-use plastics and become carbon-neutral by the end of 2019

The World Surf League (WSL)  is known for being the authority for all things surfing, famous for showcasing the most talented professional surfers to the rest of the world. Now, they’ve decided to use that powerful platform to set an example for sports organizations everywhere by committing to some pretty substantial environmental initiatives. Earlier in June, the WSL announced a series of pledges that will apply to all WSL Championship Tour and Big Wave Tour events. They include becoming carbon...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-world-surf-league-is-pledging-to-eliminate-single-use-plastics-and-become-carbon-neutral-by-the-end-of-2019
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Eco-friendly prefab social housing in France is built from wood and straw

Earlier this year, the commune of Nogent-le-Rotrou in northern France gained a new social housing development that’s not only an inspiring example of beautiful affordable housing, but is also a model for eco-friendly architecture. Designed by Paris-based architectural firm NZI Architectes, the project comprises thirteen gable-roofed homes built from prefabricated timber wall components with straw insulation. Separated into three blocks, the houses are arranged in staggered rows and feature varying...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/eco-friendly-prefab-social-housing-in-france-is-built-from-wood-and-straw
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A modern home in South Korea is embedded into its environment via an expansive green roof

Tucked into a rolling green hillside of Cheongdo-gun, South Korea, the Baomaru House by Busan-based firm Rieuldorang Atelier blurs the lines between nature and the man-made.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-modern-home-in-south-korea-is-embedded-into-its-environment-via-an-expansive-green-roof
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Air pollution may decrease eggs in women's ovaries

Air pollution doesn’t only affect your lungs – new research suggests air quality may also be linked to the number of eggs in women’s ovaries. It has long been known that environmental factors impact our reproductive systems, and multiple studies linked low sperm count with environmental indicators, but fewer examine the connection to ovaries. This newest study, presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology is the first to look at the prevalence of eggs and not just...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/air-pollution-may-decrease-eggs-in-womens-ovaries
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Sustainably-sourced sunglasses built to last a lifetime rather than a season

Living a sustainable lifestyle is about more than backyard composting and prolific use of Mason jars in lieu of plastic. To truly reach any level of sustainability we need to be aware of every purchase we make including how the product was made and even the packaging used. Although our conscientious purchasing decisions carry weight, corporate responsibility is where the real change will occur. <!--more→ Just Human feels the burden of that responsibility and has decided to do something...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/sustainably-sourced-sunglasses-built-to-last-a-lifetime-rather-than-a-season
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Trash collecting device returned to Pacific garbage patch

A giant floating, trash collecting boom is en-route to return to the Pacific ocean after necessary repairs. Initially places between California and Hawaii in 2018, the boom broke apart due to constant wind and wave pressure and had to be brought back to mainland for service. The 2,000 foot device is now ready to return to the high seas and expected to collect five tons of plastic trash every month. The C-shaped boom mimics a natural coastline and uses the currents to collect plastic garbage. It...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/trash-collecting-device-returned-to-pacific-garbage-patch
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Rafting outfitters focus on sustainability

Rafting draws a group of nature lovers with higher than average respect for keeping wilderness clean. But even the raft outfitting industry faces environmental issues—both in external threats to river quality and, in a much smaller way, in making sure their participants are educated in Leave No Trace best practices. “Rafters, both commercial and privates, are extremely conscientious and respectful of the river and its environment,” said Steve Lentz, owner of Idaho-based Far & Away Adventures....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/rafting-outfitters-focus-on-sustainability
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Selgascano designs plant-filled creative office campus for Second Home Hollywood

London-based creative business Second Home is opening its first U.S. location that’ll deliver bold designs and a lush, jungle-like environment to Los Angeles.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/selgascano-designs-plant-filled-creative-office-campus-for-second-home-hollywood
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Nissan unveils a solar-powered, zero-emissions ice cream van

To celebrate the U.K.'s Clean Air Day, Nissan has unveiled an impressive electric ice cream van that generates zero emissions while serving up a variety of cool and refreshing ice cream flavors on the go.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/nissan-unveils-a-solar-powered-zero-emissions-ice-cream-van
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Ecokit offers innovative, eco-friendly, tech-rich housing in a box

A quick trip to IKEA can afford you multiple pieces of furniture you can load into your car and haul home to later be put together by simply following some universal directions. With this idea of ease in mind, imagine being able to construct an entire house. Now you can. <!--more→ Ecokit, the product of sisters Camilla and Pavla, is a house in a box, more or less. Beginning with a design, each of the 4,000+ parts are then cut by a single-arm robot or programmed CNC machine. After...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/ecokit-offers-innovative-eco-friendly-tech-rich-housing-in-a-box
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Pacific nation Vanuatu is the first to ban disposable diapers

The mothers of the Vanuatu will shoulder the tiny Pacific island’s dream of a pristine future with the recent announcement of a ban on disposable diapers.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/pacific-nation-vanuatu-is-the-first-to-ban-disposable-diapers
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Sculptural YULIN Artistic Center dramatically tops a Chongqing cliff

On the edge of steep precipice in Longxing, Chongqing, Chinese architectural firm CHALLENGE DESIGN has completed a striking building that looks like a natural extension of the landscape.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/sculptural-yulin-artistic-center-dramatically-tops-a-chongqing-cliff
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As temperatures increase, so do rat populations

The warmer weather creeping into cities across America is cause for international concern, but there’s one group that loves it – rats. The impact of climate change on pests and disease is widely studied and cited as a reason to worry at the local level, but the rise in rat populations specifically is hard to quantify. While lab rats are studied ad nauseum, ‘wild’ urban rats and mostly taboo for the scientific community. Pest control workers and 311 hotline staff in cities like New York, however...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/as-temperatures-increase-so-do-rat-populations
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Hannah Franco and Nancy Taylor celebrate sustainable fashion with poque volution

Nancy couldn’t help but notice that Hannah could fit everything she needed into one backpack, whether they were traveling, trekking or going out to dinner. The result was époque evolution, a sustainable fashion company focused on creating eco-friendly, versatile clothes.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/hannah-franco-and-nancy-taylor-celebrate-sustainable-fashion-with-epoque-evolution
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These solar-powered prefab cabins can be set up in just 4 hours

Designed by Canadian company DROP Structures, the Mono is a tiny prefab cabin that runs on solar power and can be set up in just a few hours.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/these-solar-powered-prefab-cabins-can-be-set-up-in-just-4-hours
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As temperatures increase, so do rat populations

The warmer weather creeping into cities across America is cause for international concern, but there’s one group that loves it – rats. The impact of climate change on pests and disease is widely studied and cited as a reason to worry at the local level, but the rise in rat populations specifically is hard to quantify. While lab rats are studied ad nauseum, ‘wild’ urban rats and mostly taboo for the scientific community. Pest control workers and 311 hotline staff in cities like New York, however...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/as-temperatures-increase-so-do-rat-populations
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Arsenic found in bottled water sold at major retailers

Major companies Whole Foods and Keurig Dr. Pepper are under fire for their spring water brands Peñafiel and Starkey, which, according to the California Center for Environmental Health, exceed the federal limit for arsenic.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/arsenic-found-in-bottled-water-sold-at-major-retailers
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These biodegradable sweaters ditch fast fashion in favor of sustainable cashmere

With a goal of replacing fast fashion with consciously consumed fashion, Frances Austen’s summer 2019 collection features 100 percent biodegradable sweaters made from sustainably sourced cashmere and silk.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/these-biodegradable-sweaters-ditch-fast-fashion-in-favor-of-sustainable-cashmere
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Boston's mayor announces curbside compost program

Boston’s mayor Marty Walsh wants to know: are you going to compost that? Because chances are you should.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/bostons-mayor-announces-curbside-compost-program
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A Swiss forest gains a sculptural, sustainably minded water purification plant

Most water purification plants are devoid of personality, but that’s not so for the Swiss city of Muttenz’s new water treatment facility.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-swiss-forest-gains-a-sculptural-sustainably-minded-water-purification-plant
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7 sustainable travel experiences to have this summer as an ecotourist

Here are seven eco-friendly activities to enjoy in destinations around the world.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/7-sustainable-travel-experiences-to-have-this-summer-as-an-ecotourist
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This egg carton is made out of seeds that sprout when replanted

Greek designer George Bosnas has just unveiled the Biopack, a compact egg holder made out of cleared paper pulp, flour, starch and biological legume seeds. Instead of throwing out the container at the end of its use, it can be planted directly into the ground to sprout green plants.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-egg-carton-is-made-out-of-seeds-that-sprout-when-replanted
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Michelin and GM are moving down the road with airless wheel prototype

The term, “Sustainable mobility” is likely to become increasingly more common as we work to identify ways for transportation to have less of an impact on the environment. This year, recognizable names Michelin and GM teamed up to deliver this message with the reveal of an airless wheel at the Movin’On summit for sustainable mobility. <!--more→ The Uptis prototype (Unique Punctureproof Tire System) is the product of a joint venture between the two companies with a common goal...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/michelin-and-gm-are-moving-down-the-road-with-airless-wheel-prototype
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Record-breaking honeybee deaths recorded for last winter

Depending on who you ask, either the mites or the pesticides are to blame for the record-breaking bee decline among honeybees last winter.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/record-breaking-honeybee-deaths-recorded-for-last-winter
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Beautiful, solar-powered EV charging stations promise to charge a vehicle in 15 minutes

Copenhagen-based architectural firm COBE has just unveiled what’s possibly the most beautiful and sustainable electric vehicle charging stations in the world. Built entirely from recyclable materials and powered by solar energy, these ultra-fast charging stations not only recharge a vehicle in just 15 minutes, but also offer drivers a welcoming place to rest and relax. The first COBE-designed EV charging station was installed on the E20 motorway in the Danish city of Fredericia, with 47 more planned...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/beautiful-solar-powered-ev-charging-stations-promise-to-charge-a-vehicle-in-15-minutes
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New sensor precisely measures air pollution

Scientists agree that air pollution shortens the lives of many Europeans every year, but have had a hard time accurately measuring it. Now, thanks to new sensor technology developed at Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology, pinpointing air pollution and calculating its effects may become much easier. This new optical nano-sensor detects nitrogen dioxide concentrations down to the parts-per-billion level. The underlying concept is an optimal phenomenon called a plasmon, which has to do with...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-sensor-precisely-measures-air-pollution
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Not sure how to identify reef-safe sunscreen this summer? Here's what eco-friendly ingredients to look for

Modern studies have shown that certain types of sunscreen contain dangerous chemicals that are harmful to coral reefs. These chemicals prevent coral from defending themselves against stresses in the environment, which often leads to bleaching. Fortunately, there are reef-safe sunscreens that protect your skin from ultraviolet rays without harming the environment. When looking for reef-safe sunscreens, examining the ingredients is key to avoiding harmful chemicals. Here is a quick look at how...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/not-sure-how-to-identify-reef-safe-sunscreen-this-summer-heres-what-eco-friendly-ingredients-to-look-for
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Ingenious design sees two tiny homes connected by a light-filled sunroom

When a family of four moved from Hawaii to Portland, Oregon, they desperately missed the tropical climate that surrounded their previous home. To find a solution, they turned to architect Brian Crabb of VIVA Collectiv, who came up with the idea to connect two tiny homes with a warm, light-filled sunroom.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/ingenious-design-sees-two-tiny-homes-connected-by-a-light-filled-sunroom
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Surfing trip leads to 4Ocean cleaning coastlines around the world

This is the story of how plastic, local fishermen, a bracelet, and two surfers have created a recipe to clean up the massive plastic debris in oceans and along coastlines around the world. <!--more→ Alex and Andrew took a surfing trip to Bali that would change their lives and the future of the planet. The post-college trip opened their eyes to the growing problem of ocean plastic. While attempting to enjoy the beach and waves, Alex and Andrew found themselves literally wading through...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/surfing-trip-leads-to-4ocean-cleaning-coastlines-around-the-world
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Black bear cub in Oregon euthanized after too much human contact

According to state officials, this unfortunate incident is a reminder to tourists and locals that bears and all wildlife should under never be fed or engaged with.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/black-bear-cub-in-oregon-euthanized-after-too-much-human-contact
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Experimental timber prototype champions sustainable modular housing for the masses

Mexico City-based architectural firm Dellekamp Schleich designed a modular timber home as an inspiring prototype for affordable and eco-friendly housing in Mexico.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/experimental-timber-prototype-champions-sustainable-modular-housing-for-the-masses
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Arctic permafrost already thawing at a rate not expected until 2090

The rock and soil in this area has been frozen for thousands of years, but a string of unusually warm summers was enough to drastically alter the temperature and ecosystem.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/arctic-permafrost-already-thawing-at-a-rate-not-expected-until-2090
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The pros and cons of online versus in-store shopping

Should you shop instore or online? With as few as three clicks, something you see on a website can be at your door in hours. It’s so easy, you barely have time to consider what happens to your item to get it to you, and at what cost. It’s easy to condemn Americans’ obsession with online retail as unsustainable overconsumption, but when the numbers are pitted against in-store shopping, online shopping is actually the more eco-friendly option. Think of delivery services as public transportation...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-online-versus-in-store-shopping
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Cool off this summer at this tiny house water park with a natural lagoon

If the summer heat is already getting you hot and sweaty, cool down at this amazing tiny home water park in Wisconsin Dells.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/cool-off-this-summer-at-this-tiny-house-water-park-with-a-natural-lagoon
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A 1987 International School Bus is converted into a 200-square-foot home for a family of 3

Making a tiny space into a family home is no easy feat, but with a little design savvy, it can produce some seriously amazing results. Pacific Northwest-based artist Quinn Dimitroff and her husband recently converted a 1987 International School Bus into a serene, minimalist tiny home for their family of three.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-1987-international-school-bus-is-converted-into-a-200-square-foot-home-for-a-family-of-3
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Supreme Court votes to uphold Virginia's ban on uranium mining

The Supreme Court disappointed the Trump administration and an eager mining corporation by voting to keep the country’s largest uranium deposit underground.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/supreme-court-votes-to-uphold-virginias-ban-on-uranium-mining
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Industrial building is reimagined as a zero-carbon paragon for Paris 2024 Olympics

In anticipation of the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, French architectural firm Jakob + MacFarlane has set its sights on reinventing a large, post-industrial facility into an innovative beacon for carbon-neutral design.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/industrial-building-is-reimagined-as-a-zero-carbon-paragon-for-paris-2024-olympics
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Rag pasta sauce pulled from shelves for possible plastic contamination

Mizkan American, the corporation that owns Ragú, has announced a recall for its Chunky Tomato Garlic & Onion, Old World Style Traditional and Old World Style Meat.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/ragu-pasta-sauce-pulled-from-shelves-for-possible-plastic-contamination
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Labo Mono turns plastic water bottles into Urban Jackets for cycling and everyday use

The process started with a miserable bike ride in the rain and ended with a new company, Labo Mono, and development of its first product: the Urban Jacket.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/labo-mono-turns-plastic-water-bottles-into-urban-jackets-for-cycling-and-everyday-use
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TREDJE NATUR develops sidewalk tiles to capture and reuse water runoff

As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours. And when it pours, streets flood. One company has found a solution in the form of sidewalk tiles that absorb the excess water and funnel it to nearby foliage, not only diverting water from the walkways and streets, but putting that water to good use.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/tredje-natur-develops-sidewalk-tiles-to-capture-and-reuse-water-runoff
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Woman arrested in Florida for stomping on sea turtle nest

A woman has been arrested and taken into custody for prodding and stomping on a protected sea turtle nest on Miami Beach in Florida.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/woman-arrested-in-florida-for-stomping-on-sea-turtle-nest
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Electric-powered X Shore boats combine sustainability with luxury Scandinavian design

Promising minimal maintenance, lower operating costs, and a gorgeous modern design, Swedish company X Shore is making waves in the marine industry with their 100 percent electric-powered yachts. Created as an environmentally friendly alternative to gas-powered boats, X Shore’s pure electric vessels not only offer a shift away from fossil fuels, but also a seductively silent ride that eliminates noise pollution and toxic fumes. Marketed with the tagline “Power of Silence,” the X Shore yachts...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/electric-powered-x-shore-boats-combine-sustainability-with-luxury-scandinavian-design
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Floridians break world record for largest underwater cleanup

The coastal city of Deerfield, Florida made headlines this weekend for hosting the world’s largest underwater cleanup.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/floridians-break-world-record-for-largest-underwater-cleanup
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Pop-up shipping container accommodations add a bit of luxury to local festivals

For those who aren't exactly in the mood to sleep in a dusty old tent on the ground while they attend a weekend music festival, Caboose & Co. has a better alternative.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/pop-up-shipping-container-accommodations-add-a-bit-of-luxury-to-local-festivals
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New sustainability plan for Washington State Ferries

Washington State Ferries (WSF), the state’s biggest consumer of diesel fuel, has released a two-year action plan for operating the ferry system more sustainably. Washington's ferries burn more than 18 million gallons of fuel per year, generating more carbon and greenhouse gas emissions than any other component of the state transportation system. The new plan seeks to reduce emissions and waste, improve air quality and protect orca whales. Ferries serve the northwest part of Washington State,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-sustainability-plan-for-washington-state-ferries
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Passive solar house embraces indoor-outdoor living in sustainable comfort

Just 15 minutes from New Zealand’s capital is an environmentally conscious house that enjoys the best of city and country living.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/passive-solar-house-embraces-indoor-outdoor-living-in-sustainable-comfort
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Tyson's plant-based nuggets could disrupt and dominate the market

Major meat corporation Tyson Foods is planning to join the alternative meat industry with two new products launching this year. Nuggets and burgers made of pea protein will hit grocery stores in the summer and fall, and more products are in development.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/tysons-plant-based-nuggets-could-disrupt-and-dominate-the-market
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Green-roofed beachfront home fully embraces its coastal surroundings

Topped with green roofs and surrounded by walls of glass, the Beach Front Gardens homes in Costa Rica were designed by Tamarindo-based architectural firm Laboratory Sustaining Design (LSD) to embrace the coastal landscape.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-beachfront-home-fully-embraces-its-coastal-surroundings
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Doctors orders: 2 hours in nature boosts mental health, study says

According to British researchers, only two hours of sitting in nature per week could have measurable benefits on mental health.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/doctors-orders-2-hours-in-nature-boosts-mental-health-study-says
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Tiny house in Tokyo funnels light indoors with a curved roof

After spending a decade commuting to teach at Tokyo’s Waseda University and Art Architecture School, architect Takeshi Hosaka and his wife decided to leave their tiny 409-square-foot house in Yokohama for Tokyo, where they would build an even tinier house. Dubbed the Love2 House —the predecessor in Yokohama was called Love House—the micro-home spans just 334 square feet and is topped with a funnel-like roof to bring daylight deep inside the home. The tiny home features a minimalist and industrial...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/tiny-house-in-tokyo-funnels-light-indoors-with-a-curved-roof
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Cool ways to skip the air conditioning and still keep your home chill

As the searing summer months approach and drag on, finding ways to keep your house cool will make you more comfortable. Chilling out without the use of energy-thirsty air conditioning will not only save you money but is good for the planet, too.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/cool-ways-to-skip-the-air-conditioning-and-still-keep-your-home-chill
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A firefighter's stunning skoolie features a bespoke interior design

This beautiful bus conversion by Paved to Pines saw a 38' Thomas Built transformed into The Doghouse, a spectacular tiny home on wheels for Toronto firefighter and entrepreneur Christian and his beloved pup.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-firefighters-stunning-skoolie-features-a-bespoke-interior-design
via Inhabitat

German court rules mass killing of male chicks legal

This month, the Federal Administrative Court in Germany ruled to uphold the common practice of killing male chicks considered in efficient for meat production. The ruling is meant to be temporary, until an alternative and scalable solution is available, despite outcry by animal rights advocates. The hearing is in response to a ban of the practice from 2013 within a state in Germany. Following the ban, two major hatcheries challenged the decision, claiming that the practice was necessary for food...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/german-court-rules-mass-killing-of-male-chicks-legal
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LEED Gold eco hotel in the Wine Country was built using reclaimed wood

This 39-room inn in the popular Wine Country town of Healdsburg boasts sustainable, natural materials and an eco-friendly design that earned it a LEED Gold certification.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/leed-gold-eco-hotel-in-the-wine-country-was-built-using-reclaimed-wood
via Inhabitat

Britain promises net-zero emissions by 2050

Britain recently upped the ante on its commitment to fight climate change, promising to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/britain-promises-net-zero-emissions-by-2050
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Studio NAB wants to boost urban biodiversity with an insect hotel at a bus stop

Waiting for the bus is usually a drag, but what if the experience could instead become an opportunity to be closer to nature?

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/studio-nab-wants-to-boost-urban-biodiversity-with-an-insect-hotel-at-a-bus-stop
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11 unique edible plants for your garden

Part of the joy of gardening is falling in love with the plants you choose to nurture, especially those with a tasty reward. While the traditional carrots and raspberries certainly have their place, you can create a yard full of unique, yummy, and eye-catching produce when you select plants that are a little less traditional. The produce department at your local supermarket might have a few dozen choices, there are actually hundreds of fruits and vegetables that you may have never even heard...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/11-unique-edible-plants-for-your-garden
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Upcycled plastic bottles are used to create this durable emergency shelter

The Recycled BottleHouse is a pyramid-shaped shelter that was constructed from a bamboo frame covered in discarded plastic bottles.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/upcycled-plastic-bottles-are-used-to-create-this-durable-emergency-shelter
via Inhabitat

LEED Gold eco hotel in the Wine Country was built using reclaimed wood

This 39-room inn in the popular Wine Country town of Healdsburg boasts sustainable, natural materials and an eco-friendly design that earned it a LEED Gold certification.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/leed-gold-eco-hotel-in-the-wine-country-was-built-using-reclaimed-wood
via Inhabitat

Vegan and lab-grown meats predicted to take over meat market in 20 years

A new report claims that artificial but sustainable meats will take over the meat market by 2040.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/vegan-and-lab-grown-meats-predicted-to-take-over-meat-market-in-20-years
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TREDJE NATUR proposes angled timber housing that meets UNs sustainability goals

Copenhagen-based architectural firm TREDJE NATUR has unveiled an urban housing proposal that ticks all the right boxes for beautiful and sustainable design.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/tredje-natur-proposes-angled-timber-housing-that-meets-uns-sustainability-goals
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Free at last: Canada passes Act to prohibit dolphin and whale captivity

This week, Canada’s parliament passed a long awaited Act that will prohibits whales, dolphins and porpoises from being bred or contained in captivity. Originally proposed in 2015 by then Senator Wilfred Moore from Nova Scotia, the legislation received broad support from the public and considerable pressure from animal rights groups. “Nothing fantastic ever happens in a hurry. But today we celebrate that we have ended the captivity and breeding of whales and dolphins. This is news to splash...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/free-at-last-canada-passes-act-to-prohibit-dolphin-and-whale-captivity
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Architects envision a sustainable future for a Finnish island at risk of rising sea levels

Named “Emerald Envisioning for Luonnonmaa 2070,” the futuristic vision calls for a utopian scheme where people and nature live in harmony within a sustainable community tapping into renewable energy sources, eco-tourism and reforestation.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/architects-envision-a-sustainable-future-for-a-finnish-island-at-risk-of-rising-sea-levels
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Ending animal exploitation in tourism with World Animal Protection

World Animal Protection works internationally to end the suffering of animals and urge all people to do more to protect our furred, feathered and scaly neighbors. World Animal Protection (formerly World Society for the Protection of Animals) works on many fronts, including wild animals, farmed animals and those suddenly displaced by disasters. Ontario-based campaign director Melissa Matlow talked to Inhabitat about World Animal Protection’s work to end the exploitation of animals in the name of...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/ending-animal-exploitation-in-tourism-with-world-animal-protection
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Innovative window solar charger is designed for apartment dwellers

Now, even apartment dwellers can enjoy the benefits of solar power with this innovative solar charger that hangs in a window.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/innovative-window-solar-charger-is-designed-for-apartment-dwellers
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Radiohead dodges ransom request by releasing unheard tracks to benefit Extinction Rebellion

After an unknown music hacker stole unreleased music from Grammy-winners, Radiohead, the band published 18 hours of private soundtracks on Bandcamp, with the proceeds directly benefiting the Extinction Rebellion. The recordings were never intended for the public’s ear, however the band was left with little choice other than allowing the hacker to profit from their stolen recordings. The hacker as asking for $150,000 for the full 18 hours. Instead, the band acted quickly to ensure that the profits...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/radiohead-dodges-ransom-request-by-releasing-unheard-tracks-to-benefit-extinction-rebellion-%ef%bb%bf
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Desmond Tutu Clinic welcomes HIV patients with a striking sawtooth roof

In the Cape Town township of Masiphumelele, approximately 30 percent of the residents are infected with HIV. To help the low-income community, South African architectural practice theMAAK partnered with the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF) to build a striking new public building to serve the area.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/desmond-tutu-clinic-welcomes-hiv-patients-with-a-striking-sawtooth-roof
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Study reveals mass plant extinction rate since Industrial Revolution

According to new research, at least 571 plants have become extinct since 1750, which should be a “frightening” concern to anyone who eats or breathes.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/study-reveals-mass-plant-extinction-rate-since-industrial-revolution
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An eco-friendly gift guide for Fathers Day

This Father’s Day, give your dad a gift he will not only love, but one that also won’t hurt the planet nor gather dust on his shelf: quality time together!

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/an-eco-friendly-gift-guide-for-fathers-day
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Mysterious Black Villa is to be tucked in the lush forests just outside of Moscow

The Black Villa in the Forest, designed by Russian architectural firm Archslon, has a certain air of mystery to it that is enhanced by its off-grid location just outside of bustling Moscow.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/mysterious-black-villa-is-to-be-tucked-in-the-lush-forests-just-outside-of-moscow
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Twisting brick facade fronts an innovative courtyard house near Chicago

In a Chicago suburb full of traditional gabled rooflines, California-based architectural firm Brooks + Scarpa has inserted a modern dwelling that puts a sculptural twist on a humble and overlooked building material: Chicago “Common” brick.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/twisting-brick-facade-fronts-an-innovative-courtyard-house-near-chicago
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Canada to ban single-use plastics by 2021

Canada is the latest country to follow the European Union’s ambitious ban of single-use plastics, which will go into effect by 2021.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/canada-to-ban-single-use-plastics-by-2021
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Old ruins are transformed into a cozy, off-grid guesthouse in France

From afar, this quaint guesthouse seems like a pile of rubble — but take a closer look and you’ll find a tiny and cozy getaway with interiors of Douglas fir.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/old-ruins-are-transformed-into-a-cozy-off-grid-guesthouse-in-france
via Inhabitat

Eiffel Tower site to become a pedestrian-friendly garden

Paris’ famed Eiffel Tower will get a major garden renovation that is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2024 Olympics.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/eiffel-tower-site-to-become-a-pedestrian-friendly-garden
via Inhabitat

Seven commandments of Leave-No-Trace Camping

Spending time outside can have invaluable benefits for your mental, physical and spiritual health, but unless you’re practicing responsible environmental stewardship, you might be reaping the benefits while harming nature itself. Around the world, outdoor enthusiasts follow these seven simple codes to make sure that nature is clean and healthy not only for the future generation, but for the person coming behind you on the trail. 1. Plan ahead and prepare This is arguable the most important...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/seven-commandments-of-leave-no-trace-camping
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Minimalist villa in Japan boasts dark timber exterior and bright white interior

Related: + Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/minimalist-villa-in-japan-boasts-dark-timber-exterior-and-bright-white-interior
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Solar-powered prefab cabins keep naturally cool in Portugal

When a client approached Lisbon-based architectural practice Studio 3A for a small residential project in the seaside village of Comporta, the architects knew that a major challenge would be keeping the house naturally cool during the oppressively hot summers. In keeping with their commitment to sustainable architecture, the architects used passive solar strategies and efficient insulation to mitigate solar heat gain. The firm also teamed up with design studio Mima Housing to prefabricate the buildings,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-prefab-cabins-keep-naturally-cool-in-portugal
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Have your plastic and eat it, too average American ingests 50,000 microplastic particles a year

The first-ever study to calculate how much plastic Americans are eating every year has some unsavory findings.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/have-your-plastic-and-eat-it-too-average-american-ingests-50000-microplastic-particles-a-year
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Ingenhoven breaks ground on a hedge-wrapped green heart in Dsseldorf

Earlier this month, German architectural firm Ingenhoven Architects broke ground on Kö-Bogen II, a sustainable mixed-use development envisioned as the “new green heart” of Düsseldorf, Germany. Designed to visually extend the adjoining Hofgarten park into the inner city, Kö-Bogen II wraps the sloping facades of its two buildings with hornbeam hedges that total nearly five miles in length. The hedges and turfed rooftop spaces will also help purify the air and combat the city’s heat island...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/ingenhoven-breaks-ground-on-a-hedge-wrapped-green-heart-in-dusseldorf
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Wild bees are building nests with plastic

While plastic use is going out of vogue with more enlightened humans, it’s catching on with Argentinian bees. Scientists don’t know why Argentina’s solitary bees are now constructing nests out of plastic packaging left on crop fields. Unlike the large hive model with queens and workers, wild bees lay larvae in individual nests. Researchers at Argentina's National Agricultural Technology Institute constructed 63 wooden nests for wild bees from 2017 to 2018. They later found that three nests...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/wild-bees-are-building-nests-with-plastic
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Celebrate inclusivity and sustainability with these outdoor Pride activities

LGBTQ+-focused outdoor activities and safe spaces are increasing in number and visibility, and though there are more this month than ever, they are all part of a movement to promote inclusivity and representation among those who love the outdoors.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/celebrate-inclusivity-and-sustainability-with-these-outdoor-pride-activities
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Flow Hive takes the hassle out of honey harvesting

Related: + Flow Hive Flow Hive

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/flow-hive-takes-the-hassle-out-of-honey-harvesting
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A magical field of solar-powered lights takes over a California landscape

Internationally acclaimed British-based artist Bruce Munro recently unveiled his largest site-specific project to date: Field of Light at Sensorio, a sprawling art installation that covers a hilly, countryside landscape with more than 58,800 stemmed fiber-optic lights powered by solar energy.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-magical-field-of-solar-powered-lights-takes-over-a-california-landscape
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Leaked footage shows brutal animal abuse at Fair Oaks dairy farm

One of the largest dairy farms in the U.S. is under fire from leaked footage showing graphic animal abuse by farm workers. The farm and popular agriculture tour site was infiltrated by activists who were hired as workers and recorded the brutal treatment of calves.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/leaked-footage-shows-brutal-animal-abuse-at-fair-oaks-dairy-farm
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Tiny prefab timber cabin in New Zealand designed to serene art studio

Related: + Copeland Associates Via Archdaily

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/tiny-prefab-timber-cabin-in-new-zealand-designed-to-serene-art-studio
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New York could become the first state to ban cat declawing

On Tuesday, New York lawmakers voted to ban cat declawing. If New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signs the bill, cats may be packing their little suitcases and moving to the first state to protect their claws by law. "Cat declawing is a horrific, yet often practiced surgery that leads to a lifetime of pain and discomfort for thousands of cats," Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal of Manhattan, told NPR. "Today, though, every cat and kitten in New York state lands on its feet as we prepare to...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-york-could-become-the-first-state-to-ban-cat-declawing
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Renewlogy turns low-grade plastic into usable fuels

Renewlogy is a three-way win: it’s a profitable business model, keeps plastic out of the landfills, and produces usable fuel. The creators of Renewlogy technology found inspiration out of disgust when they learned that less than 10% of plastic was being recycled through traditional recycling processes. Armed with an MIT education and pinpoint focus, the team designed a recycling system that can be built on-site, specific to the needs of the waste management company, with no pollution. With this...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/renewlogy-turns-low-grade-plastic-into-usable-fuels
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A massive urban vineyard will envelop a new research center in Milan

International design and innovation firm Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA) has won first place in the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group’s international competition with VITAE, a new research center in Milan that will be covered in a 650-foot-long urban vineyard.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-massive-urban-vineyard-will-envelop-a-new-research-center-in-milan
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A 1923 building in Quebec is now a light-filled public market complete with aquaponics systems

Discerning foodies in Quebec will soon have a beautiful new market to buy their locally grown fare. Local architectural firms Bisson Associés and Atelier Pierre Thibault are at the final stages of converting the Pavillon du Commerce, which dates back to 1923, into the light-filled Grand Marché, a public market that features aquaponics systems.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-1923-building-in-quebec-is-now-a-light-filled-public-market-complete-with-aquaponics-systems
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German circus goes cruelty-free by replacing animals with holograms

German-based Circus Roncalli is leading the way by becoming the first circus to use holograms of animals instead of forcing live animals to entertain crowds.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/german-circus-goes-cruelty-free-by-replacing-animals-with-holograms
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Innovative micro-house uses digital fabrication on low-cost timber construction

Can digital fabrication unlock a new frontier in low-cost timber construction? All signs point to yes in the IBA Timber Prototype House, a micro-architecture project that’s been playfully described as “a log cabin turned on its side” by its designers at the Institute for Computational Design and Construction at the University of Stuttgart. Designed to meet PassivHaus standards, the airtight and highly sustainable building system was developed as part of the International Building Exhibition...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/innovative-micro-house-uses-digital-fabrication-on-low-cost-timber-construction
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A new study estimates how many people will die from global heating in your city

A new study reveals the severity of global heating by calculating how many heat-related deaths would occur in major U.S. cities if the world continues to heat at the current rate. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Miami are predicted to see the highest number of deaths every year, but with each half degree cooler that the world remains, hundreds of lives can be saved.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-new-study-estimates-how-many-people-will-die-from-global-heating-in-your-city
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Imperial War Museums Passivhaus-targeted archive breaks world records for airtightness

Britain’s Imperial War Museum has recently gained a new high-performance archive facility in Cambridgeshire, England that boasts the world record for air-tightness with results of 0.03 ach (air changes per hour).

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/imperial-war-museums-passivhaus-targeted-archive-breaks-world-records-for-airtightness
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A gorgeous events center in Pennsylvania is built almost entirely out of eco-friendly timber

Residents of Nappanee, Indiana now have a beautiful timber events center to enjoy thanks to the Pennsylvania-based builders at Mid-Atlantic Timberframes. The Sammlung Platz (The Gathering Place in German) is a massive, multi-use center that is made out of natural timbers that give the space a unique structural strength as well as an exceptionally warm atmosphere.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-gorgeous-events-center-in-pennsylvania-is-built-almost-entirely-out-of-eco-friendly-timber
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TRS Studio turns shipping containers into low-cost Pachacutec housing

Improved housing could soon be coming to Pachacutec, a dusty shantytown on the outskirts of Lima. Peruvian architectural practice TRS Studio has proposed low-cost cargotecture dwellings that not only are sensitive to the local vernacular, but also offer improved comfort and safety as compared to existing housing. The single-family homes would be made from shipping containers and recycled materials, including oriented strand board, wooden planks, and polycarbonate panels. For the marginalized...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/trs-studio-turns-shipping-containers-into-low-cost-pachacutec-housing
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Poland Spring pledges 100% recycled bottles by 2022

This week, Nestlé Waters North America promised its Poland Spring brand would start using recycled bottles for its water products by 2022. The announcement is part of Nestlé’s larger pledge to increase recycled bottle use and has the potential to significantly boost the recycled plastic industry.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/poland-spring-pledges-100-recycled-bottles-by-2022
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Earliest human air pollution detected in glaciers

Researchers in Peru’s Andes Mountains have discovered some of the earliest evidence of air pollution, and the report reveals new information about the extent that carbon emissions accelerate ice melt.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/earliest-human-air-pollution-detected-in-glaciers
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How to celebrate World Environment Day

Today, June 5, is World Environment Day! There are many ways that you can celebrate today, and you can use the celebration as a start to building more healthy, environmentally friendly habits. Here are some suggestions for fun activities and behavior changes to consider today and every day.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/how-to-celebrate-world-environment-day
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LEED Platinum UCSB student housing harnesses Californias coastal climate

The University of California Santa Barbara boasts not only a beautiful campus near the ocean, but also recently completed student housing that’s been certified LEED Platinum. Designed by Los Angeles-based architectural firm Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects (LOHA), the UCSB San Joaquin Student Housing was created to take advantage of the region’s ideal coastal climate to reduce energy demands. In addition to the use of passive design principles, the project employs several other sustainable strategies...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/leed-platinum-ucsb-student-housing-harnesses-californias-coastal-climate
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A 1989 Airstream is converted into a modern home on wheels for a family of 6

Related: + Timeless Travel Trailers

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-1989-airstream-is-converted-into-a-modern-home-on-wheels-for-a-family-of-6
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Beautiful solar-powered minimalist cabins are clad in locally sourced charred timber

Related: + Via Archdaily H-Eva, prefab cabins

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/beautiful-solar-powered-minimalist-cabins-are-clad-in-locally-sourced-charred-timber
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Pacific nuclear site contaminating clams and groundwater, despite U.S. denial

Giant clams and groundwater near a U.S. nuclear waste site in the Marshall Islands have been found to have high levels of radiation. Despite claims that the waste is contained and the contamination is old, local scientists and environmental justice advocates believe the site was not adequately protected and is currently leaking. Cracks in the concrete top of the containment indicate that there could be cracks at the bottom, allowing waste to ooze into the water and causing widespread fear that a...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/pacific-nuclear-site-contaminating-clams-and-groundwater-despite-u-s-denial
via Inhabitat

This incredible tiny house resort in the Catskills is the place to be this summer

Related: + Via Tiny House Blog

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-incredible-tiny-house-resort-in-the-catskills-is-the-place-to-be-this-summer
via Inhabitat

Endangered Canadian Orca births first calf in three years

A small and endangered pod of orca whales primarily seen off the coast of British Columbia was photographed with their first newborn calf since 2016. The calf has been called a “ray of hope” by whale researchers and conservationists and brings the total population up to just 76 whales. “Researchers at the Centre for Whale Research, have confirmed that the calf is a new addition, and based on its coloration and body condition was likely born sometime in the last one to three weeks…More...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/endangered-canadian-orca-births-first-calf-in-three-years
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An energy-optimized extension pierces a renovated brick bungalow

Having outgrown their single-story bungalow, a family approached Ghent-based architectural firm WE-S architecten for an expansion and renovation that would also bolster the home’s energy performance. The architects responded with an unusual proposal: an extension that appears to pierce straight through the existing structure at an angle. Clad in brick, the House TlL in Pittem, Belgium now spans 3,025 square feet with an east-west addition that follows site-specific passive design principles for...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/an-energy-optimized-extension-pierces-a-renovated-brick-bungalow
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Here's how you can recycle and upcycle your yogurt containers

We all want to do the right thing when it comes to recycling. After all, it makes us feel good to know we’re diverting materials from the already-overflowing landfills. But sometimes we inadvertently cause more problems than we solve when we toss items into recycling that contaminate the rest of the goods in the bin. For example, when a material that has come into contact with food rolls down the conveyor belt at the recycling plant, workers have to pull other perfectly acceptable recyclable items...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/heres-how-you-can-recycle-and-upcycle-your-yogurt-containers
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Repurposed shipping containers turned into solar-powered Cycle Hubs

Related: + Via Treehugger Cyclehoop, shipping container, e-bikes

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/repurposed-shipping-containers-turned-into-solar-powered-cycle-hubs
via Inhabitat

This prefab treehouse can be assembled in merely a few days

No childhood is complete without spending time in a rickety old treehouse, but when two long-time friends decided they needed an adult tree abode to relax in nature, they went the sophisticated and sustainable route.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-prefab-treehouse-can-be-assembled-in-merely-a-few-days
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Jakarta's massive bus system pilots electric vehicles

Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta, is piloting a program to transition their public buses to electric vehicles. Jakarta’s bus system is the largest in the world with over 200 million riders and new routes added every year. The addition of cleaner vehicles promises to have a significant impact on the city’s toxic levels of air pollution. Starting in April, the city began testing electric buses produced by Chinese and Indonesian manufacturers. After the pilot trials, the city will test the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/jakartas-massive-bus-system-pilots-electric-vehicles
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Escape to the Azores at this charming eco resort by the sea

Looking for a summer getaway that checks the boxes for chic and environmentally friendly style? Meet Lava Homes, a new eco-resort on Azores’ Pico Island that’s a relaxing escape for nature and yoga lovers alike. Tucked into a hillside with breathtaking views of the sea, the 14-villa resort was designed by Portuguese architectural firm Diogo Mega Architects to embody nature conservation and sustainable principles as evidenced by its minimized site disturbance, use of renewable energy, and locally...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/escape-to-the-azores-at-this-charming-eco-resort-by-the-sea
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Experts warn earths topsoil is almost gone

Nearly half of all the world’s top soil has disappeared over the last 150 years, despite its critical importance to our food supply. At least 95 percent of our global food supply relies on rich topsoil for production, and the better the soil the more nutritious the food. Experts warn that without massive reformations to agriculture and city planning, we could run out of topsoil in the next 60 years. What is causing topsoil loss? Intensive farming is the primary cause for the loss of topsoil....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/experts-warn-earths-topsoil-is-almost-gone
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Meet Maya Kaan: Mexico's Newest Ecotourism Destination

Mexico’s newest ecotourism area highlights natural scenic beauty and Mayan cultural experiences. Maya Ka’an is a large swathe of central Quintana Roo, a state on Mexico’s Caribbean. It includes the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and Zona Maya, the traditional Mayan heartland. Local tour operators run the area’s touristic activities, aiming to keep the money in the community. “Travelers know and love Cancun, Tulum, Cozumel and Riviera Maya. Now they can learn about another side of the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/meet-maya-kaan-mexicos-newest-ecotourism-destination
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Solar-powered houseboat boast spectacular interior design

Related: + Via Aucoot Chinampa Houseboat, solar-powered houseboat

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-houseboat-boast-spectacular-interior-design
via Inhabitat