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Total number of posts: 23665
First peaceful democratic transition brings Nigeria a "peace dividend"
This week’s presidential elections in Nigeria were historic. This was the first peaceful transition of power since the country declared its independence from British rule in 1960. Observers generally praised the election as being fair. And the incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat Read More...
3D printing with food waste provides a truly sustainable alternative to plastic
For all its promise of unleashed creativity, 3D printing raises one major issue of sustainability. The technology uses, and creates objects out of, unrecyclable plastic filament wrapped around plastic spools. Ingenious minds are beginning to come up with diverse solutions to remedy the problem, but Read More...
The monk who ran 1,000 marathons has nothing on us—except he knows it
“All humans are asking the question: Why are we alive?” says the monk of Mount Hiei in Japan who endured 1,000 days of long-distance running as a rigorous quest for enlightenment. “The constant movement for 1,000 days gives you lots of time to think about this, to reflect on your life. It is Read More...
Small-business lending: local community's involvement makes banks obsolete
Community Sourced Capital, a startup based in Seattle, WA, connects small businesses with members of the community who are eager to support their local economy. Loans are repaid with no interest, while CSC takes fees. The goal is to step into the space that banks have left vacant since the Read More...
The planet is becoming greener, according to satellite data
While deforestation is going unabated in tropical areas of the globe, it turns out that forests have been gaining grounds over the past decade in former Soviet countries, in China—where an ambitious reforestation policy has been in place for a long time—and even in arid areas of Africa, Read More...
Crowdfunding the world's largest, greenest aircraft
The Hindenburg is back from its ashes, with much better technology. The British company Hybrid Air Vehicles has built an airship that can reach 100 mph, remain airborne for weeks, land anywhere flat. The Airlander’s hull fills with 38,000m3 of helium and is 30% longer than a Boeing 747. Civil Read More...
Electricity-generating speed bumps can power traffic lights on India's streets
Turning heavy traffic in Indian cities into a renewable source of energy to power traffic lights and street lights: that's what eight engineering students in the state of Ahmedabad have done. They came up with small speed bumps that can generate electricity through electro-spinning wheels. They Read More...
Garden with a purpose and help the earth
Unsure about how you can play your part in mitigating climate change? Redesign your garden with these guiding principles in mind: support life, sequester carbon, feed pollinators and manage water. Resulting aesthetics rely heavily on native species and wildlife-friendly plants. Watch your Read More...
A wheel to lift African farmers out of perpetual poverty
An adjustable, flexible wheel is how Malawi-native and Royal Collage of Art graduate Ackeem Ngwenya intends to remedy the lack of road infrastructure in rural Africa. The ability to transport farm goods farther, or in bigger quantity, than what women and children on foot are able to carry on their Read More...
Competitive rates lead Texas city to commit to 100% renewables
Georgetown, a community of about 50,000 people some 25 miles north of Austin, Texas, has created quite a shockwave with the announcement that it will soon be powered by 100% renewable energy. The city utility company, which acts as a local monopoly, finalized a deal with giant solar energy company Read More...