Goal Zero has designed portable, weather-proof solar power
Solar power technology has evolved by leaps and bounds over the past several years. Today, scientists and manufacturers are scrambling to find newer and better ways to harness the power of the sun to...
View ArticleTires become sandals in latest recycling trend
One and a half billion tires get discarded every year. We’re having a hard time wrapping our heads around that number. Especially since tires aren’t exactly like bottle caps—they take up serious space....
View ArticleNest collaborates on smart fan
Don’t you hate when you have to turn your fan up or down to make it warmer or cooler in the room? It’s the WORST. Okay, that was a joke. Adjusting your fan speed is probably the easiest thing you’ll do...
View ArticleNew self-dimming light bulb conserves energy
Now here’s a bright idea: A light bulb that dims itself, thereby conserving energy and helping keep electric bills under control. Until now, homeowners had to install special dimmer switches in order...
View ArticleNanotech “lily pads” are a new way to purify water
If Mark Owen’s invention becomes as ubiquitous as he hopes, there will be some very confused frogs in our lakes, ponds, and rivers. Mark Owen developed the LilyPad water purifier. At a full meter in...
View ArticleNanotech “lily pads” are a new way to purify water
If Mark Owen’s invention becomes as ubiquitous as he hopes, there will be some very confused frogs in our lakes, ponds, and rivers. Mark Owen developed the LilyPad water purifier. At a full meter in...
View ArticleCleaning up garbage truck emissions in New York City
The early morning rumble of garbage trucks is a signature sound of New York City. However, residents increasingly have a bone to pick with the garbage trucks — and it’s not about the noise pollution,...
View ArticleTrash is a surprising indicator of economic prosperity
If you’ve ever studied economics, you’ve looked at all kinds of leading and lagging indicators of an economy’s health. Perhaps you considered the Consumer Price Index (CPI), or the Current Employment...
View ArticleBuilding a better measure of energy efficiency
All energy expenditure is not created equal. At least, that’s what engineering consultancy Buro Happold says. The worldwide professional problem-solvers developed an innovative new way to evaluate a...
View ArticleCould tree houses provide a solution to urban sprawl?
What if ultra-modern tree houses were a way to mitigate the environmental impact of urban sprawl? Many of us grew up dreaming of spending time in a tree house — or actually whiling away hours in one if...
View ArticleThis new Hyundai car has a very interesting fuel source
Imagine pulling into your local gas station and seeing the following fuel options: Unleaded, Unleaded Premium, Diesel, Poop. Er, what?! Please forgive the rather indelicate nature of this discussion,...
View ArticleWasteful commercial fishing practices could damage ecosystems
You know the old saying, “There’s plenty of fish in the sea?” It’s usually intended as a cliché for discouraged daters, but when taken literally, it turns out to be less true than you might think. (We...
View ArticleIs waste-free packaging possible?
Landfills are clogged with empty packaging — 140 billion pounds of it per year. (Yikes.) From bottled water to food to cleaning products and beyond, it seems like everything we touch comes from a...
View Article5 tips for a greener Fourth of July barbecue
Fourth of July is all about family, friends, food, fireworks, and fun. Of course, it’s also about honoring the United States. And what better way to say “Happy Birthday” to the good ol’ U.S. of A. than...
View ArticleBoston developing solar-powered benches
We don’t ask much of park benches—we just want a place to sit and rest and enjoy a nice day outside. But what if benches could provide more than a place to rest—a lot more? Cisco is funding the...
View ArticleOff-the-grid solar light production
Solar lights present an incredibly promising method for bringing electricity to areas of the world that are off the traditional electric grid. However, it’s not as simple as shipping solar panels and...
View ArticleInnovative map displays solar potential of individual buildings
When it comes to sustainability-focused design and business models, it probably takes a whole lot to impress the folks at Fast Company’s Co.Exist. Eduardo Berlin, an architect and designer from...
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