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Island Power: El Hierro and Renewable Energy
by Ben Bowlin | July 21, 2011
Often called “The Meridian Island,” El Hierro is the smallest of the Canary Islands. It’s a haven for diving enthusiasts, and it may soon become the first island powered entirely by renewable energy. At a first glance, this might not seem like a big deal. After all, El Hierro is only about 107 square miles [...]
Have you looked at the moon lately? It’s fascinating. And, if a certain Japanese construction firm has its way, it could also become the answer to Earth’s burgeoning energy crisis. Look, I know it might sound like I made this one up, but it’s true: The R&D group at Shimizu, one of Japan’s largest construction firms, [...]
“Dumbest” Turbine Ready to Hit Rough Ocean Waters
by Sarah Dowdey | August 13, 2010
Atlantis Resources just unveiled its 1,430-ton, 73-foot-long tidal turbine, believed to be the biggest turbine of its kind in the world. But the kicker for me was the chief executive, Tim Cornelius’ description of the behemoth: “In order to get a robust turbine we have had to make what we call ultimately the dumbest, simple but most robust turbine you could possibly put in such a harsh environment.”
Inventor’s 2020 vision: to help 1bn of the world’s poorest see better – “What if it were possible, he thought, to make a pair of glasses which, instead of requiring an optician, could be “tuned” by the wearer to correct his or her own vision? Might it be possible to bring affordable spectacles to millions [...]
A new way of looking at the world – “An emerging set of tools is making it easier than ever to track and compile all sorts of “data” and display it in a way that’s relatively easy to understand…” How to Use a Cyclotron Particle Accelerator to Fight Cancer – And you thought MRI machines [...]
Early Risers Are Mutants – “Don’t hate those people who are perky and efficient after only a few hours of sleep. They can’t help it. New research suggests that a genetic mutation may explain why some people sleep less…” The Amazing Story of the Diver and the Whale – “The following incredible photos have been [...]
How much does unappealing language hold back messages about global warming, um, I mean the “deteriorating atmosphere?” That’s what the nonprofit PR firm ecoAmerica set out to study. Its findings suggested that no, people don’t want to hear about “global warming,” or even “climate change” — it makes them freeze up and think about Al Gore — but they wouldn’t mind listening to a few value-focused “talking points.”
Although the ecoAmerica study was just released yesterday, it’s already been around the block a few times. About a month ago, a summary meant for government officials and environmental leaders was accidentally e-mailed to several news outlets, including the New York Times.
More recently, Grist reported on the document, which focuses on nearly every environmental buzzword out there.
You Asked: What is the most viable alternate form of energy in terms of economy and practicality? — Gabriel, San Salvador, El Salvador Marshall Answered: Right now, human beings get most of their energy in one of two forms. There are things that we burn directly (like coal, gasoline, natural gas) to create heat and [...]
Dubai’s never-ending slew of conceptual architectural designs tends to run together in my mind. They usually feature an outsized silver building of unconventional shape (perhaps situated on also unconventionally shaped man-made land). The new designs for Dubai’s latest eco-venture are no exception.
According to Inhabitat, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce authorized the development of a free zone called Food City. Dubai’s free zones are officially “offshore” no man’s lands — areas that fall outside of the UAE’s legal code in order to attract international business. But with Dubai’s economy looking more bust than boom, the emirate has decided to spin its latest venture toward sustainability instead of the gilded (literally) luxury it’s known for.
Not to be confused with Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City project or Dubai’s Xeritown, Food City is touted as an “off-the-grid, self-sufficient metropolis” featuring every energy-saving or alternative-energy technology under the sun.
As members of Congress pour over a U.S. climate bill centered on a cap-and-trade system, a small collection of idyllic atolls in the Indian Ocean is busy with its own ambitious plan. According to the Economist, the president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, announced in March that his country would attempt to stop using fossil fuels by 2020.
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