The expected look of a synthetic tree

Scientists in the US may have found a quick solution to problems of an endangered environment with what they like to call a Synthetic Tree. From the looks of the scientific study involved, this tree will be able to help in soil remediation and heat transfer. Simulating the process of transpiration the tree bolsters the theory that transpiration in trees and plants is a physical process only. Yes, not looking one inch like a real tree, the synthetic tree would function like one. It will draw carbon dioxide out of the air, as plants do during photosynthesis, and retain the carbon which is one of the most damaging gases for the environment.
The expected results look promising. The tree can help in a passive heat transfer for cars and buildings. The scientists also expect it to build better soil remediation systems by pulling the contaminated fluid out of the soil without the use of more liquid. In the same way, the technology can also draw water out of dry soil without having to dig a well.
We have our fingers crossed.
Via zeenews

It is essential that we integrate alternate sources of energy with our daily lifestyle as it is no longer a luxury but a necessity for the planet. Green energy has made its way in to various industries and the aviation energy is one of the last sectors to open up to the energy. It is not so much that they wish to stay away from the alternate power sources but the fact that it is not at a stage where it can be integrated to power the flights completely. The zephys-6 though is an unmanned aircraft that has set the flight of solar energy flying with wings of gold.

The Zephyr-6, as it is known, stayed aloft for more than three days, running through the night on batteries it had recharged in sunlight. The flight was a demonstration for the US military, which is looking for new types of technology to support its troops on the ground. Chris Kelleher, from UK defense and research firm QinetiQ, said Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) offer advantages over traditional aircraft and even satellites.  The Zephyr flew non-stop for 82 hours, 37 minutes.

The time set by Zephyr-6 beats the current official world record for unmanned flight set by the US robot plane Global Hawk - of 30 hours, 24 minutes - and even Zephyr’s own previous best of 54 hours achieved last year. This is a remarkable and much needed boost to solar power in the aviation industry. Hopefully the Zephyr will be the blueprint for flights, that one day would take to the skies completely on clean fuel.

Via BBC

US swimming star Amanda Beard and four time Olympian came out loud in support of PETA in Beijing. The ad was one of those typical PETA campaign ads that feature nude celebrities who say they’d rather be naked than wear fur. But officials fear fir the safety of the gold medallist and her entourage. In fact, one of her press cons were cancelled last minute. Apparently, the Public Security Bureau even paid a visit to the hotel she was staying in. But Beard was not shaken as she decided to step outside the south gates of the Olympic village with her campaign and talk to a group of some 25 reporters, fans and fellow athletes expressing her feelings about cruelty against animals.
Security guards kept an intent watch and police cars drove by but didn’t interfere. Check out her website, amandabeard.net, for her thoughts and a link to an animal rights petition.
Via wsj

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After buildings/ offices, the GO-GREEN bandwagon is now joined by restrooms as well. Ask anyone tested by a horrible traffic jam, on a sweltering day when the car’s AC seems like a mediocre fan, what a mini-heaven a well maintained restroom in his/her office can be? But this little luxury can leave a big footprint behind as, often the practices employed in rest rooms lead to a lot of wastage of valuable resources like water. So now, its time to make the public conveniences “Green”. Leading the path is Michigan’s Grand Haven State Park- a favorite destination among campers. The State Park has installed a nouveau eco-friendly toilet-shower building to harmonize camping with a nature-friendly holidaying experience.

The green restroom makes use of sustainable building materials, natural daytime lighting, timer-controlled showers (with on-demand water heaters), reduced-flow shower heads and low-flow urinals and toilets in order to function as a water-cum-energy efficient building. Unique to the eco-restroom is the use of motion detectors that control night-time lighting! What’s more? The electricity consumed in building’s ventilation system is provided by mighty sun via the solar panels fitted on building’s roof! There’s a new sanitary sewer line as well to ensure the safety of watershed.

Other parks in Michigan will follow in the footsteps of Grand Haven State Park and officials plan to eventually turn all the restrooms in Michigan’s 97 state parks and recreation areas into eco-friendly and efficient buildings – laced with clean odor-free, waterless composting toilets. With such green restrooms the scenario for eco-tourism and green travel seem to get better and better.

Via: jamblemag

Would you like to adorn yourself in some super green eco-friendly, highly artistic, handmade yet fashionable Brazilwear? If yes, Creollus is the one-stop shop for all you eco-fashionistas! The boutique believes in churning out totally organic products and its Candice Collection happens to be 100% au-naturel!

Here’s what the founder of Creollus has to say, “At Creollus, we are making a real difference by creating a sustainable resource for commonly discarded but highly recyclable materials. Our entire company product inventory is born from techniques that equally value and respect a cleaner and healthier natural environment through the recycling of common commercial and household materials. In creating our company, we are enabling a unique group of sorely underserved artists to form a business cooperative that will significantly improve their standard of living, and give them an appreciative, worldwide audience for their craft.”

Believe me ladies this collection is by far the greenest I have come across!

Made from recycled banana fibers, its eco-chic bikini guarantees a tender play of cool breeze on your skin and since it is made from natural fiber you can’t possibly get any rashes on your sensitive skin. The crocheted-piece needless to say, will glam up your beauty in a very green manner.

Besides the lovely bikini, you can opt from bags, sun hats, other accessories like a neckpiece or earring set, handicrafts, all made from banana & other natural fibers. A purchase from Creollus’s eco-products range will leave you satisfied like never before because it is a fair trade enterprise. So, happy shopping ladies!

Source: creollus

If you happen to be bitten by the eco-tourism bug here’s something that might interest you and make your holiday experience a greener and richer one. National Geographic Traveler recently did a vast surveyed about United States’ greenest travel& tourist destinations. It has picked up seven great and green places to be in for their sustainable practices. The latter includes:

· Energy and water savings

· Recycling efforts

· Least-toxic cleaners

· Use of renewable energy sources

Besides these, other parameters, which helped these seven wonders to emerge out as the best in green-travel industry, are:

· Sense of place

· Community involvement

· Ambience

So, here is the list of these 7 places that might be just the ones you were looking for so far!

1) Destination: Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Camp Denali offers you an unspoiled paradise as you step out from your cabin and adore the pristine beauty of the tallest peak in North America.

Package: A 3-7 days stay will cost you $1,365 to $3,185.

Contact details: campdenali.com and/or nps.gov/dena.

2) Destination: Rock Harbor Lodge, Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

You can experience the northwoods in this hidden heaven located in northwestern Lake Superior. Isle Royale is accessible only by boat or seaplane. (Sounds adventurous!)

Expected Expense: $223-$386. For further information, visit their website: rockharborlodge.com

3) Destination: Orchard Garden Hotel, San Francisco, California

Located in America’s greenest city, Orchard Garden Hotel is LEED-certified offering tram services to its customers. You may also opt for a Prius to visit nearby Point Reyes National Seashore and savor local cuisines at Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse in Berkeley.

Costs incurred: $169-$450. More details available at theorchardgardenhotel.com.

4) Destination: Sundance Resort, Sundance, Utah

Located at the base Mt. Timpanogos, Sundance boast s 6,000 wilderness acres of flora and fauna. Go hiking or skiing in the summer season. Expenses incurred: $294-$1388.

Reservations open at sundanceresort.com.

5) Destination: Asheville Green Cottage, Asheville, N.C.

Your stay at Asheville will be comforted by organic cotton sheets and natural latex mattresses, organic restaurants, farmer’s markets and mountain ranges. And you visit it now you shall be greeted by Bele Chere (Southeast’s largest free arts and music festival).

Costs: $110-$180 and Contact at ashevillegreencottage.com.

6) Destination: Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa, Milton, N.Y.
This inn is at 90 miles distance from New York and located on Hudson River. Specialties include local, organic foods grown on-site. The resort relies on solar energy & geothermal power to warm its spa waters. Prices: $225-$650;
Contact: buttermilkfallsinn.com, 877-7-INN-SPA.

7) Destination: Dunton Hot Springs Resort and Spa, Dolores, Colorado.
Famous for its honeymoon lodgings and romantic spas, the resort built in a former ghost town is located in the San Juan Mountain chain of the Rockies. You can take a trip to
Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly (both at nearby distances from the resorts).
Expected expenses: $325-$520 per individual per night.
Book a suit today at duntonhotsprings.com.

So, green holidaying to all who are visiting these places!

Via

Sam’s Club- United States’ second largest wholesale retailer has shifted to a new type of milk container being introduced in the U.S. markets recently. The milk container is not a looker or a sensation in terms of design. Infact, the new milk jug is a square shaped gallon. This packaging change isn’t a promotional gimmick but utility factor in case of the container. Milk has been transported for wholesale consumption in pitchers at the beginning. Then came the glass bottles (in 1800’s). Followed by, cardboard cartons and finally plastic gallons.

The new milk containers are also made form plastic but this time its 100% recycled plastic making it a eco-friendly option. Other interesting feature is that the new milk jug is so designed that in bulk transporting it doesn’t require crates or racks for shipping and storage thereby, reducing transportation costs! As per Sam’s Club, the new case-less jugs result in 10-20% cost savings to the consumers.
Also, 9% more milk can be accommodated now in these jugs thereby reducing overall fuel cost incurred by frequent delivery trips made by trucks. Additionally, water isn’t required to clean the crates or racks because this new milk jug is case-less.

Therefore, water is also saved. Cool! And last but not the least the new milk gallon is self-stacking; thanks to the flat spout. Also, each gallon can easily rest on another during transport. I hope like Sam’s Club other wholesalers should also reconsider their options and opt for this new and definitely ‘greener’ milk jug.

Via ModernEcoHomes