How silicon from old solar panels could power the next generation of batteries
Solar energy is an effective source of renewable energy, and falling costs due to increased availability of technology and subsidies have made it cheaper than ever. But this power source is not without its drawbacks, especially when you consider the number of resources used to make solar panels. Read More...
The beautiful design of vertical forests is spreading to cities across the globe
The forest and the city may seem like opposites, but what if our architecture could meld our cities with our natural spaces? This is what architect Stefano Boeri’s vertical forest attempts to do. His prototype in Milan features two residential buildings with 20,000 trees, shrubs and plants. Read More...
Bedtime beverages for when counting sheep just won't put you to sleep
Even though it’s just an hour, daylight savings time change can throw off your sleep routine. If the new sunset time is leaving you tossing and turning at bedtime, consider trying one of these 9 drinks proven to help you sleep. Cherry juice: Cherries’ high tryptophan content is thought to Read More...
Kansas City becomes first major American city to offer free public transport
For the first time ever, a major American city is offering universal fare-free public transit. That city is Kansas City, and it hopes to boost ridership and improve access for all citizens with the new initiative. The city’s popular streetcar is already free, but the city council and Mayor Read More...
Tackling the gender wage gap in the gig economy
The global economy is changing. Last week we ran a story about making the most of your job in the gig economy, but how does the rapidly growing gig economy pan out for women? Unfortunately, while the national wage gap hovers around $10,000 per year, a recent analysis found the average female Read More...
What Finland’s new parliament can teach America about gender equality
Finland’s new parliament looks radically different from most governments: it’s dominated by women under 35. The parliament is led by newly elected prime minister Sanna Marin, who, at 34 years old, is the youngest in the world. This may sound radical to Americans, but Finland elected its Read More...
Proposed bill would improve opioid addiction treatment funding and access
Litigation against major pharmaceutical companies has called attention to the crippling opioid crisis gripping the US, which begs the question: what can be done about it? Recently, Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the bipartisan Opioid Workforce Act in hopes that Read More...
Want an easy, rewarding, and green New Year’s resolution? Try composting
Composting is one of the most beneficial habits households can adopt to reduce their food waste and carbon footprint. Implementing worldwide composting could reduce emissions by 2.3 billion tons over the next 30 years by reducing methane emissions from decomposing organic material in landfills. So, Read More...
Startup aimed at reducing food waste receives huge investment backing
Denver-based start up FoodMaven is setting its sights on reducing the 40% of food that goes to waste each year. After closing their Series B funding round at $15.3 million this week, they’re showing that the business of good can be profitable as well. Their business model focuses on obtaining Read More...
This waste-free toothpaste brand is clean for your teeth and the planet
Most of us get our toothpaste out of pesky toothpaste tubes every day, but that could become a thing of the past after a Canadian company created an alternative that takes the waste out of dental hygiene. Change Toothpaste, which was founded in January of this year, has created dry toothpaste Read More...