The next oil boom will be in the ocean—and, yes, it’s sustainable
Most exciting clean energy news comes from wind and solar. But these renewables have their challenges: The sun doesn’t always shine etc. Carbon neutral biofuels—like ethanol from corn—don’t have these problems but they take up valuable agricultural land space that could be used for growing Read More...
Sustainable living: Barcelona is better for your mental health than New York
New research shows that being surrounded by tall buildings produces a “substantial” negative impact on mood. City dwellers have a 40 percent increased risk of depression and double the rate of schizophrenia. That’s the problem when cities are designing ever denser centers to accommodate for Read More...
You can’t smoke industrial hemp but it is great asset for a sustainable economy
Centuries ago hemp was a major resource for the economy: sails and clothing depended on it. Industrial hemp lost its popularity because of the health concerns related to the marijuana variety of hemp. But you need to smoke a cigarette the size of a lamp post to get high on industrial hemp. Hemp Read More...
Cars now talk to cars, if you’re into that sort of thing
Excellent news for the gas-sipping, headlight-blinking, gossipy autos among us. Cadillac’s flagship 2017 CTS sedan will talk to other cars. Well, other 2017 Cadillac CTS sedans, but it’s a start. If the government gets its way, all cars will talk to each other one day soon. Engineers call the Read More...
Google's new sun map will tell you whether your roof needs a solar panel
Google has long stated its ambitions to run its global operations solely on renewable energy, and now it wants to lead by example. The company has updated its interactive Sunroof map that helps people estimate whether it makes sense to install a solar panel on their roof. In a new blog Read More...
The baby elephant saved from a palm oil plantation in Indonesia
Pushing on 400 kilograms, baby Paichit knows when it’s feeding time. He lets out an appreciative bellow, a rumbling baby elephant purr from his patch in the Sumatran jungle, as soon as his mahout (keeper) Julkarnaini approaches bucket in hand. “He’s getting much healthier,” Read More...
Yoga and controlled breathing may ease depression
New research suggests a 12-week integrative health intervention may significantly reduce depressive symptoms. Columbia and Harvard researchers discovered training in Iyengar yoga classes and coherent breathing provided considerable benefits for individuals with major depressive disorder. However, Read More...
Tompkins Conservation donates 1 million acres for new national parks in Chile
Tompkins Conservation signed an agreement with Chile's government on Wednesday to donate 1 million acres for new national parks in the largest private donation of its kind for the South American nation. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet signed the deal with Kristine McDivitt Tompkins, the widow Read More...
Blockchain could redistribute value to make the sharing economy more fair
The traditional economic model was dominated by large companies that have top-down hierarchical organizations providing services to passive consumers. Now, companies like Google, Uber and AirBnB represent a shift operating online platforms where most value is generated by the users. The problem Read More...
Soon you can get around Paris on an electric water taxi
Taxis stopping to pick up and drop off passengers can clog up streets, especially during rush hour. It’s frustrating for everyone, but what’s the alternative? In Paris, the answer may be silent electric taxi boats. The boats, called SeaBubbles, run on electric batteries that recharge when they Read More...