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Good-Bye, Cheap Oil. So Long, Suburbia?
The proverbial s*** has hit the fan. The fact that oil IS a finite resource is coming to light and the former centerpiece of the American Dream is being transformed. Life as we know it to be is over. I told several friends in November 07 that by the end of 08 we'd see $200 oil prices per barrel... as of this article, we're hoovering around $120. America needs to wake up... fast. The proverbial s*** has hit the fan. The fact that oil IS a finite resource is coming to light and the former centerpiece of the Ameri... more
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Light an affordable commodity in off-grid areas ?
About 1.6 billion people worldwide depend on "fuel-based lighting" because they do not have access to the electric grid, usually burning kerosene for light in different types of lanterns. Besides being a very inefficient light source, kerosene lighting is expensive, dangerous and poses a health hazard for its users.
The first step in establishing a viable global solution for off-grid lighting is a pilot project. OSRAM has started this pilot around eastern Africa's Lake Victoria, addressing local fishermen and their communities. In April 2008, the first O-HUB in Mbita, Kenya, was inaugurated. Lake Victoria was chosen because the local fishermen fishing for sardines at night use kerosene lanterns.
The fishermen spend up to 70% of their income on kerosene, so they have a strong interest in efficient lighting.
About 1.6 billion people worldwide depend on "fuel-based lighting" because they do not have access to the electric grid, usually burni... more -
The Seegers Family Edifice Venture. (The History and Beginning)
The Seegers Family Edifice Venture is a documentary of a family that is turning an old church camp activities center into their future home. One of their goals is to show practical construction methods that will turn this building into an efficient green dwelling.
The History & Beginning is the first webisode of The Seegers Family Edifice Venture. In this episode you will meet the Seegers family, see us close on the building, learn its history and see the new roof go on. You’ll also get a tour of the building with an explanation of how they plan to renovate it. The Seegers Family Edifice Venture is a documentary of a family that is turning an old church camp activities center into their future... more -
Yemen Sleepwalks Into Water Nightmare
With a population increase from 60,000 to 2 million people in the last fifty years and groundwater resources that cannot be replenished fast enough to keep up with consumption and population increases, Yemen is the perfect example of what this world faces in this century should current behavior continue.
I cannot wrap my head around this. I cannot fathom how people can continue to build populations while depleting resources. This truly is a nightmare and one we will see played over and over again unless the international community begins to add population to the resume of what we must address in solving the water/climate crisis.That means access to family planning and contraception in developing countries with an emphasis on education.
Any global climate treaty signed next year must include how the global community will address overpopulation in ratio to availability of resources combined with conservation efforts. With the population of this world fast approaching 9 billion people, we will simply not be able to sustain them all with our precious resources being wasted and lost to climate change. Something has to give, and it has to be us. In places like Yemen however, it may already be too late. So what can countries like this do to adapt? With a population increase from 60,000 to 2 million people in the last fifty years and groundwater resources that cannot be replenishe... more -
Rain Harvesting: Go Green | Live Well | Save Money
Every day, five billion gallons of drinkable water is used to flush toilets in the U.S.
Thirty-six states are anticipating water shortages by 2016.
340 billion gallons of fresh water are pulled from rivers, streams and reservoirs every day in the U.S. and cleaned for residential, commercial and industrial uses. That's more than five gallons of water for every person in the world each day.
More than one billion people, or 1 out of every 6 people, lack access to a safe supply of drinking water. Diseases associated with the lack of clean water are leading cause of death in the world.
When tending your garden or patio, use mulch, plant drought-resistant and native plants, and be sure to water wisely. Mulch will help to reduce water evaporation, while planting native species will save water, since plants that are indigenous to your region won't need to be watered as much as others.
Don’t be a drip…install one! When it comes to watering individual trees, flowerbeds, potted containers, or other non-turf areas, consider applying water directly to the roots using low volume drip irrigation. This will reduce water waste through evaporation or runoff, and will prevent unwanted weeds from growing.
Every day, five billion gallons of drinkable water is used to flush toilets in the U.S. ... more -
Neighborhoods for People: The Cohousing Model
Just like an old fashion village, cohousing neighborhoods give residents the best of private home ownership and the advantages of sharing land and resources with your neighbors. This concept orginated in Denmark is growing rapidly here in the United States.
This 15 minute video introduces the Cohousing Concept and the people who call these sustainable neighborhoods their home.
Enjoy!!! Just like an old fashion village, cohousing neighborhoods give residents the best of private home ownership and the advantages of shar... more -
Clothes to Help the World - Clothes for NAU
What are you wearing? Seriously! Have you ever stopped to think about what's in your pants? If not, there is a company that wants to turn your crank (get you thinking).
This pod is about a company that is changing the way people should think about their clothes - and their purchasing decisions in general.
It's all about NAU. What are you wearing? Seriously! Have you ever stopped to think about what's in your pants? If not, there is a company that wants to t... more -
Climate Hero 2050
Climate Hero retires to live a quiet life in the countryside...
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Push Button Home In A Cargo Container
Built inside a standard shipping container that takes 90 seconds to expand, once opened the Push Button House reveals a kitchen, dining area, bedroom, living room and library.
No roof tho? Built inside a standard shipping container that takes 90 seconds to expand, once opened the Push Button House reveals a kitchen, dinin... more -
The Oshara Model
Oshara Village in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is now under construction. This unique New Urbanist development, which is the first of its kind in the United States, will allow residents to drastically reduce their use of non-renewable resources and overall energy consumption. This 10-minutes video show viewers how The Oshara Model can address the dual challenges of resource depletion and global warming. Oshara Village in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is now under construction. This unique New Urbanist development, which is the first of its kin... more
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Bottles Cans and Tires
Byproducts of modern society turned into green home building. Take a quick tour of Earthships and see how bottles, cans and tires are used to create these dynamic self sufficient homes. Byproducts of modern society turned into green home building. Take a quick tour of Earthships and see how bottles, cans and tires are ... more
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The high price of eating well
No wonder so many underprivileged Americans are overweight.
It's long past time for food justice and local, sustainable agricultural
enteriprises that can feed local communities with real, healthy food. No wonder so many underprivileged Americans are overweight. It's long past time for food justice and local, sustainable agricultural ... more -
A Little Piece of Land
In South Los Angeles, a 14 acre urban farm is in danger of being bulldozed. The South Central Farmers talk about the connection between the land and the people of this mostly Mexicano community. In South Los Angeles, a 14 acre urban farm is in danger of being bulldozed. The South Central Farmers talk about the connection betwe... more
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Rudd Talks Climate Change With Gore
Am I too hopeful about the Bali Conference? To dare hope that we will see not only real solutions coming to fruition on a global scale, but for once to see the poor of our world in countries not contributing as much to this crisis treated equitably for the damage rich countries like the U.S. have done to them? To think we will see a true internarional spirit of goodwill and a sincere desire to save this planet? That this will rise above the pettiness of political bias and personal greed to the level of moral consciousness we need to truly do right by our children? We have far to go, and as Al Gore has quoted through an African proverb, we must go quickly. I am then so much more hopeful knowing that he is keynoting there and that Australia is now going to be a part of this. And this time we must not disappoint hope. Our existence depends on it. Am I too hopeful about the Bali Conference? To dare hope that we will see not only real solutions coming to fruition on a global scale... more
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Sustainabilty
