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Think like a tree: Learning from the oaks that survived Katrina
Ten years ago this week, Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, bringing floods and gale-force winds that devastated the region and displaced more than a million people. But New Orleans’ live oaks were surprisingly resilient, as biologist Janine Benyus describes in Read More...
Plant in Chile opens South America’s doors to geothermal energy
The El Tatio geyser field in the northern Chilean region of Antofagasta. Geothermal energy comes from the earth’s internal heat, and the steam is delivered to a turbine, which powers a generator. Credit: Marianela Jarroud/IPS OLLAGÜE, Chile, Aug 26 2015 (IPS) - Chile, a land of volcanoes Read More...
'Plonkable' mirrors promise cheaper solar energy
It is a problem that has so far stumped even Google's brainy engineers - how to generate cheap solar electricity using a small-scale array of mirrors to concentrate the sun's energy. Now a team at a South African university - led by a former Intel strategic planner - believes they have cracked it. Read More...
New Orleans launches resilience roadmap to tackle climate and social challenges
As well as focusing on climate-related catastrophes, the 41-step resilience strategy addresses social issues such as poverty, racial inequality and crime Wednesday 26 August 2015 05.26 EDT Last modified on Wednesday 26 August 2015 05.27 EDT In the week that marks the 10th anniversary of Read More...
This Danish power plant will poetically inform residents of how much carbon they’re using
In less than a decade, Copenhagen expects to become the first carbon-neutral city on the planet. There are plenty of reminders around the Danish capital to will the locals towards achieving a zero-carbon future by 2025: a 20-turbine wind farm, half of its population zipping around in bikes (and an Read More...
People sleep better with access to this healing resource
Lack of sleep linked to poor thinking skills, worse mental health and even obesity. Many people sleep better when they have access to nature, a new study finds.It could be an ocean view, a green space nearby or any natural surroundings. People over-65 and men of all ages slept better when they had Read More...
American astronauts drink recycled urine: 'It tastes like bottled water'
What’s the difference between American and Russian astronauts on the International Space Station? The Americans drink their urine, the Russians don’t. “It tastes like bottled water,” Layne Carter, water subsystem manager for the ISS at Nasa’s Marshall Space Flight Read More...
Pop feminism inspiring more young women to get involved in politics
Beyoncé's August, 2014, appearance at the Video Music Awards. Emma Watson, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Antonia Zerbisias — if you’re not sure what these four women have to do with Canadian politics, you probably haven’t been following the meteoric surge of pop Read More...
It's about time young women get credit for their feminism
Amandla Stenberg isn’t just a versatile young actress. She’s also a thoughtful feminist. Photograph: Donato Sardella/Getty Images for Teen Vogue When I was a young feminist – working at my first job in a women’s nonprofit and eager to single-handedly take on the patriarchy Read More...
How the circular economy is taking off in the US
Once a Scandinavian speciality, the circular economy has gained momentum in Europe, and now companies across the US are seeing the benefits Wednesday 26 August 2015 07.49 EDT Last modified on Wednesday 26 August 2015 07.51 EDT Laptops made of plastic from old laptops. Aluminium car body Read More...