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Eco-friendly packaging for oily products
Plastic is everywhere and is a horrid reminder of our throw away lifestyles. One of the big reasons we keep using plastics is because of the versatility of the material. Now scientists have invented a new biodegradable material that can be used for packing both liquid and solid oily products, the Read More...
Mid-term elections and the promise of a non-functioning democracy
America proudly sees herself as the leader of the democratic world. Democracy is on the rise around the globe. Forty years ago, think tank Freedom House published its first annual report ranking the world based on democratic freedoms. A mere 40 countries had free elections. Back then, Spain and Read More...
An apple a day might keep obesity at bay
People who are obese tend to have an irregular mix of bacteria in their colon, which can impair their ability to feel full after a meal and promotes chronic inflammation—eventually leading to type 2 diabetes and ‘metabolic syndrome.’ The health benefits of apples have been well documented, Read More...
Solar power will be cheaper than grid power by 2016
Solar rooftop power in the US will become cheaper than electricity from the grid in the next two years. A report from Deutsche Bank predicts that solar power will get to “grid parity” in all 50 states. Grid parity is when an alternative source of electricity reaches the same price as getting Read More...
Tackling Indian poverty through job creation
One of the problems with charity is that it doesn’t address the root of a problem—people not being able to support themselves. In India, and around the world, a new form of business employs those who would normally receive charity to make consumer and other goods, so they can be Read More...
A glowing highway without street lamps
If you drive about an hour south of Amsterdam you’ll find yourself on a stretch of road that looks like you are in a science fiction movie. This piece of a Dutch highway is completely void of streetlights—replaced by strips of glowing paint. The highway is being used to test alternative ways of Read More...
North of France declares itself a hub for social enterprise
Northern France is mostly known for old heavy industries and agriculture—not as place of social innovation. But that’s about to change. Inspired by Nobel Peace Prize winner and social business pioneer, Muhammad Yunus, this region of France has declared itself “a hub for social enterprise”. Read More...
Making it easier to talk with your hands
The 21st century is turning out to be pretty welcoming place for people hard of hearing. In both the arts and the work force, the deaf community is currently getting a chance to shine more than ever before. Meanwhile, technology advances to allow for better communication between the hard-of-hearing Read More...
Using dung beetles for food safety
Every few years there is an E. coli outbreak—many get sick and maybe one or two die. Most of these outbreaks have been traced to animal droppings on plants that occurred while they were still at the farm. Now researchers have come up with an idea to use dung beetles to minimize E. coli outbreaks. Read More...
Poorer countries use more renewables than rich
While most renewable energy sources are invented in the developed world, a new study found that developing countries use green energy sources at nearly twice the rate of the western world. The study looked at 55 countries and found that between 2008 and 2013 the use of renewable energy grew 143 Read More...