Innovative News

3November2009

Innovative News on Hiatus

Posted by Cecilia under: Uncategorized.

After 18 months and nearly 600 posts we’ve decided to take a break from daily posting on Innovative News. It’s been our pleasure to bring you the latest news about green technology from around the world.

We have decided to focus our attention toward other writing projects that we’ve neglected for many months.

From time to time we’ll update you with innovations that we find too important to not pass along and we’ll notify our followers on Twitter.

Thanks to our loyal readers for your support and comments.

3November2009

Green Building Initiative

Posted by Cecilia under: Economy; Home.

The Green Building Initiative is a non-profit organization originally conceived to bring green building into the mainstream.

Their mission is to accelerate the adoption of building practices resulting in energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings.

The organization has developed the Green Globus system that is an interactive management tool that allows for flexible and affordable approach to environmental design.

They’ve also been working with local home builder associations in order to educate and promote green residential building.

In order to help spread the knowledge of green building practices, the group also provides training and education. You can find more information, as well as a map of their activities at the GBI website.

2November2009

Coastal Roots Program in Louisiana

Posted by Terry under: Environment.

The Coastal Roots Program was started in 2001 as an education outreach project for the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program. In 2006, the program was folded into the LSU Department of Educational Theory, Policy, & Practice and the LSU Center for Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences. Coastal Roots goal is to assist students in developing an attitude of stewardship toward our natural resources and to provide active learning about coastal ecosystems.

Students from grades 3-12 in Southern Louisiana are taking part in the project by establishing wetland plant nurseries at their schools. The project has been integrated into special education classes, elementary science, middle school (life and earth science) and high school biology classes. Informal education groups have also participated (e.g., 4H, science clubs, etc.)

Students are nurturing native plant seedlings that they will plant in a coastal habitat restoration project in south Louisiana.

The program’s objectives are threefold:

Conduct an on-going school-based nursery program growing native plants.
Involve students in a hands-on habitat restoration planting.
Provide teachers and students with information on issues such as ecological stewardship, wetlands functions/values, wetland loss, habitat restoration & conservation, as well as basic horticulture skills.

Students work with a variety of seeds, including the water oak, southern baldcypress, southern wax myrtle, black mangrove, red mulberry, and Spartina alterniflora grass.

Since 2000, 3,573 students have planted more than 29,000 student-produced seedlings in Louisiana coastal zone. In 2008, 775 students in grades 3-12 participated in 16 restoration plantings at sites in Louisiana. They transplanted a total of 5,465 plants.

Program schools are matched with a specific restoration site so that site biologists can work with schools to select appropriate plants needed for habitat restoration programs at the site and to educate students about ecological restoration needs of the site.

1November2009

1% for the Planet

Posted by Cecilia under: Economy; Environment.

Started in 2002 1% for the Planet is a growing global movement of over 1,200 companies that donate a percentage of their sales to a network of more than 1,800 environmental organizations worldwide.

Founders Yvon Chouinard and Craig Mathews realized seven years ago that it was good business to protect the natural resources that kept them in business. They started to encourage more businesses to donate 1% of sales to environmental groups - first calling it Earth Tax and then 1% for the Planet.

Chouinard is the founder of outdoor company Patagonia and Mathews is the founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, a retail fly-fishing outfitter.

The growing number of members is testament to the success of this innovative idea. 1% for the Planet is a powerful way for businesses to help drive positive environmental change, gain recognition for their responsibility, and promote further action on the part of consumers and other companies.

31October2009

Green alternatives to marble or granite countertops

Posted by Cecilia under: Environment; Home.

The advantages of marble or granite countertops entice many of us to spend extra money in the kitchen. They have superior strength, durability and aesthetic beauty.

If you’re looking for green countertop materials you probably won’t choose marble or granite. Their production and transportation make for a large carbon footprint as well as environmental destruction.

But there are green alternatives to granite and marble countertops.

If you’re looking for durable, concrete countertops are one way to go. They’re most often made by a local fabricator. You could make your concrete countertop more environmentally friendly by adding recycled materials and by using a nontoxic water-based finish. Concrete countertops are often employed where the design requires flexible shapes.

If stone is your preferred material look into local natural stones. Some states even have their own natural stones such as soapstone, gemstone or quartz. Green Mountain Soapstone Corporation of Castleton, Vermont is the largest soapstone supplier to the USA and Canada.

It may surprise you to know that Greenguard certified laminates are an excellent choice for countertops. Texas-based Wilsonart International Inc. is a leading manufacturer of decorative surfacing products including laminate countertops which received Greenguard quality certification.

Other alternatives are ceramic tiles, porcelain and glass. All are moisture resistant, long lasting and environmentally friendly to manufacture. Vetrazzo of Richmond, CA was one of the first companies offering countertops made of recycled glass. These counter-tops are incredibly strong, durable and look great.

As always, search for local manufacturers in your area that offer responsible choices in countertop materials.

30October2009

Phyto-Purification Bathroom

Posted by Cecilia under: Uncategorized.

Japanese designer Jun Yasumoto of Paris has designed an innovative bathroom called Phyto-Purification Bathroom.

Phtyo-purification is a natural water-recycling process. Yasumoto’s bathroom is designed to filter the wastewater through different purification steps.

The arrangement might be a little too green for some people, but the idea has merit.

Different aquatic plants such as Rushes, Reeds, Water Hyacinths and Lemnas filter the waste water by breaking down particles and binding micro-organisms. The filtered water can then be reused for the sink and shower.

We’re all in favor of conservation methods, but standing in a marshy shower may take some getting used to.

29October2009

Smallest RV: Camper Bike by Kevin Cyr

Posted by Cecilia under: Economy; Transportation.

Artist Kevin Cyr from Brooklyn, New York was always interested in painting well-traveled vehicles of all kinds. In 2008 he designed and built the Camper Bike as smallest RV ever. He calls it a functioning sculptural piece.

This emission-free pedal-powered camper sits on a modified 3 wheeled bicycle. The interior features all necessary amenities in the smallest space. This tiny RV is small and practical as a shelter for one.

The Camper Bike might be an interesting idea for the adventure cyclists out there. Add a solar panel and some water catchment and you’d have a complete, green tiny house on wheels.

28October2009

Green Good Design Awards 2010

Posted by Cecilia under: Economy; Energy; Environment; Home.

The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies issued a Call of Entries for the Green Good Design Awards Program for 2010 with the theme “Design for a Better World”.

The aim of the awards is to bring a public appreciation and awareness of a new design paradigm led by a current generation of visionary architects, designers, urban planners, corporations, governments, individuals, and private and public institutions. Designs are based upon the ideals of energy conservation; the reduction of toxic waste and greenhouse gases; the diminishing dependence on fossil fuels; and a sensitivity for waste, pollution, and the depletion of the world’s energy resources.

Applications are open until November 1, 2009. You’ll find the online application here.

The Green Good Design Awards give international recognition to those that have advanced exceptional thinking and inspired greater progress toward a healthier and more sustainable world. We’ll inform you of the winners in late spring 2010.

27October2009

Solargon Structures Insulated Panels

Posted by Cecilia under: Energy; Home.

solargon Today’s home-building market is worlds away from what it was just a few years ago. Buyers that are brave enough to dip their toes in to the luke-warm new home market are demanding features that were barely on the radar just a few years ago. These demands have pushed dealers, builders and contractors to look in new directions to satisfy precious customers. The search is on for the best combination of efficiency, cost savings and rapid construction time.

Solargons Structures are one example of the many new rapid build, passive solar designs that are currently receiving attention. Solargons are octagonal buildings featuring passive solar design principles inspired by design elements from Native American and Asian nomadic tribes, while the materials represent the latest in green building technologies. Solargon Structure’s goal is to optimize every aspect of the building’s life cycle, in order to maximize cost efficiency and minimize the environmental footprint.

Studies have proven that passive solar homes can reduce the yearly demand for heat by a factor of 10. Solargon says their unique octagonal design requires less than half the heating and cooling requirements of conventional buildings.

The walls and roof panels of a Solargon are made with Structural Insulated Panels (SIP’s). The panels are composed of an insulating foam core, with OSB skins. Both the insulation and panel skins are made from natural, renewable materials. The SIP’s provide both high insulation value as well as extremely strong structures.

SIP panels also provide for fast assembly. According to the company, on site assembly requires mere hours for the 20′ model and less than two days for the 30′ model. Interior and exterior can be tailored to meet individual needs.

In addition to use as a residential home, Solargons can be used for recreational cabins, mother-in-law apartments, art studios, ski huts, military housing, emergency housing, satellite classrooms, etc. Each 30′ model can be attached or linked to additional Solargons for even more floor-plan flexibility.

Visit the Solargon Structures website for more details.

26October2009

Looking for a small wind turbine?

Posted by Terry under: Energy; Home.

Billing itself as the “Home of the small wind turbines” Allsmallwindturbines.com keeps track of the latest information for home and other small wind users.

With over 384 Small Wind Turbines from 152 manufacturers indexed, they undoubtedly have the largest collection of wind turbine links in the world.

The concept behind the website is not to judge the turbines but to give a complete overview of all the small wind turbines currently available.

Visitors can also add their own turbines or shop directly from selected turbine makers.

Their Listings include: