Review: WakaWaka Power is your personal pocket-sized solar power station
A solar-powered solution that can provide not only bright and efficient lighting, but also store enough power to charge cell phones and other gadgets goes a long way toward reducing energy poverty, and WakaWaka Power can do all of that, while also fitting into a tiny space.
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Our new writer Maggie has a way with a camera at ICFF.
A look at at some of the best and worst of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair
DIY solar foundry reaches temperatures of 3800 degrees farenheit: Of all the ways to heat metal to melting points in order to work with it, using the sun’s heat is not usually listed among them. But Green Power Science does just that with this DIY solar foundry. Metal-working, in the backyard, without an open flame. Crazy!
LEDs in greenhouses deliver same yield as grow lights, using just 25% of the energy: “LED lights may soon enable greenhouse growers to grow affordable, vine-ripened tomatoes and other produce items much closer to the market, enabling more local food production, especially in the northern latitudes.”
Dark chocolate mousse with cardamom, candied ginger and hazelnuts: a vegan recipe for a decadent dessert.
How prepared are American cities for increased natural disasters? Over the years, Americans have insisted on expanding and building cities and suburbs in locations that are clearly threatened by natural hazards. This week’s monster tornado in Oklahoma demonstrates this. Cities and states have encouraged people to live in these areas through city planning, architectural design, and the so-called need for “economic development.”
Thus, instead of encouraging people to not live in these hazard zones, city leaders have created methods to help people survive relatively normal lives there. Houses in California must meet specific earthquake design standards, buildings in Oklahoma have “safe rooms,” and countless structures must be stable enough to handle floods and erosion along American coastlines. These are adaptations. Not good adaptations (I believe people should not be encouraged to live in these areas), but there it is.
With the climate changing, the impacts on communities are likely to increase. Incidences of natural disasters are expected to rise, costing many lives and causing a need for an endless stream of disaster aid.
Researchers at MIT teamed up with the non-profit ICLEI to survey cities around the world. The goal was to compare how they were adapting to climate change impacts, or preparing for future impacts. Progress, the researchers found, is very slow in the US, while cities around the world are far more advanced.
It’s a great read, very visual so if you don’t have time you can skim it.
Survey: U.S. Cities Report Increase in Climate Change Impacts, Lag Global Cities in Planning
Strawberry-blueberry scones made with coconut milk
Happy Eightieth Birthday, Tennessee Valley Authority
Thousands of people displaced and their farms submerged. Natural habitat destroyed. Libertarians decrying the federal nationalization of power generation. Billions of dollars spent on stimulus. Supreme court challenges about States’ rights and the Federal Governments authority and jurisdiction. It sounds like a cross between the Three Gorges Dam in China and the American Senate today, but in fact it was all about the Tennessee Valley Authority, founded on May 18, 1933.
For a virtual company, it is always fun to see co- workers in person! Here’s @christackett, @lloydalter and former ‘hugger Ben Boyd!
The Way We See the World designed these edible cups that are changing the game for sustainable barware. Drink your drink and eat the cup! #csilaunch #vegan
Visiting the launch party of @CSIsl co-working space. Toronto <3s New York!
