17 Jul
2017
This gigantic floating Manta Ray could naturally purify Seoul’s river
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
Published by : Eco Media Asia
What if our city infrastructure could also repair the damage we’ve done to nature? Vincent Callebaut’sManta Ray is an experimental landscape design that aims to sustainably restore the natural environment in Seoul. Developed for an international competition, Manta Ray is a floating ferry terminal proposal that uses marshland plants to naturally purify the Han River and produces 100% of its energy needs through renewable sources.The Manta Ray is the…
15 Jul
2017
Are solar barnraisings and "voluntary gas taxes" the future of renewables incentives?
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency | UNITED STATES
Published by : Eco Media Asia
With the uncertainty surrounding federal climate policy right now, many people are wondering what the future might hold for clean energy in the US. While angst is justified—and vigilance necessary—it's important to remember a couple of things: 1) Renewable energy prices have dropped precipitously in recent years2) Solar and other clean energy technologies are insanely popular with the general public, regardless of their political leanings. With this in mind,…
13 Jul
2017
Tushy launches bamboo toilet paper to help you reduce your carbon buttprint
Others | UNITED STATES
Published by : Eco Media Asia
In a bid to reduce TP's environmental impact, the team of toilet crusaders behind the Tushy bidet attachment have rolled out an unbleached bamboo alternative.Tushy, the company that thinks you should treat your butt like your face, believes that toilet paper is wiping away the environment, and has just launched an alternative that it calls a "sustainable poo-solution to Big Toilet Paper consumption."According to Tushy, 15 million trees and 67 billion…
11 Jul
2017
Norton Point makes stylish sunglasses from recycled ocean plastic
Eco Products & Services | UNITED STATES
Published by : Eco Media Asia
If you’re looking for a new pair of stylish sunglasses with a sustainable twist, then you should check out Norton Point. This innovative company, founded in 2015, makes its shades from upcycled ocean plastic, which means you can get the lightweight practicality and durability of plastic sunglasses without tapping into virgin resources.Norton Point’s glasses are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the most commonly found plastic used in millions…
09 Jul
2017
Startup upcycles discarded chopsticks into new decor & furniture (Video)
Others | CANADA
Published by : Eco Media Asia
Chopsticks have a long and storied history, dating back to 2100 BC when Da Yu, the founder of the Xia dynasty, was trying to reach a flood zone. In his haste, he didn't want to wait for his food to cool down, and adapted two twigs to help him eat his food quickly. With the popularization of Asian food all over the world, chopsticks -- especially the disposable kind -- are now being used all over the world. But throwaway chopsticks are an unmitigated…
07 Jul
2017
E.LUMEN solar LED flashlight is a great addition to your glovebox & emergency kit (Review)
Others | UNITED STATES
Published by : Eco Media Asia
Renogy's rechargeable flashlight incorporates a host of useful features, including the ability to function as a backup battery for phones and other gadgets. LED bulbs have been making a huge impact over the last few years, and not just for residential and commercial lighting, but also for portable lighting, and if you've taken a look at the impulse buy section of hardware stores lately, you've probably seen a selection of LED flashlights and worklights for…
05 Jul
2017
This electric city bike from Ariel Rider can haul 300 pounds of cargo on its rear rack and it has a place for your coffee cup right up front within reach
Green Transportation & Logistics | CANADA
Published by : Eco Media Asia
It's not enough to simply add an electric drive train to a city bike and call it a day, as both new and regular cycle commuters need to also have a place for their stuff, whether it's just to carry a single daily-carry work bag or a way to transport a full load of groceries home. Although the rider can certainly add on panniers, a front and rear rack, pull a trailer, or just carry a big ol' backpack everyday, it's much more convenient and practical to have…
03 Jul
2017
China unveils train that travels on ‘virtual tracks’
Green Transportation & Logistics | CHINA
Published by : Eco Media Asia
City public transportation systems typically rely on a mix of trains and buses. But what if the two could be combined? Chinese company CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive recently debuted a trackless train that could ease traffic and emissions in urban centers. The Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) uses sensors to run along invisible tracks on city streets. Train tracks on city streets could be a thing of the past if all goes well…
01 Jul
2017
Renewable energy powered half the UK on Wednesday
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency | UNITED KINGDOM
Published by : Eco Media Asia
The UK is not slacking in its goal to slash carbon emissions by 57 percent (based on 1990 levels) by the year 2030. Such was made evident on Wednesday, when the country successfully generated 50.7 percent of its energy from solar, wind, hydro and biomass. Another first was recorded when nuclear, wind and solar each generated more electricity than gas and coal combined.The National Grid tweeted the good news and said, “For the…
29 Jun
2017
Fisker is back with the $130,000 400-mile range EMotion EV
Others | NETHERLANDS
Published by : Eco Media Asia
Designer Henrik Fisker is getting ready to jump back into the EV segment with a new electric car called the EMotion. Now that Fisker’s former EV, the Karma has been reborn under new ownership, Fisker is ready to move beyond the capabilities of the old Karma with the entirely new 400-mile range 2019 EMotion.Fisker Inc has released a set of teaser photos of the new EMotion, which is going to debut later this month on June 30. The EMotion’s design has…
27 Jun
2017
This bubble-shaped greenhouse is filled with medicinal healing plants
Others | AUSTRALIA
Published by : Eco Media Asia
Australian artist Janet Laurence is blending the worlds of art, architecture, and medicinal botany into one “breathing bubble”. Currently on display at Berlin’s International Garden Exposition, “Inside the Flower” is an experimental garden that showcases the diversity of medicinal botany. Working with the Laboratory for Visionary Architecture and Archimedes, Janet Laurence assembled the greenhouse in just two days.…
25 Jun
2017
Made from sewage, these “popsicles” reveal the scale of Taiwan’s water pollution
Resource Recovery & Environment Management | TAIWAN, ROC
Published by : Eco Media Asia
We wouldn’t eat these “popsicles” if we were you. Concocted by Hung I-chen, Guo Yi-hui and Cheng Yu-ti, a group of students from National Taiwan University of the Arts, the frozen treats comprise sewage from 100 different locations across the East Asian island nation. Hung and company froze their samples—bottle caps, plastic wrappers, and all—to illustrate the scope of Taiwan’s water-pollution problem. To preserve their creations, they dipped the popsicles…
23 Jun
2017
Hyundai’s new emissions-free bus travels 180 miles on just one hour of charging
Green Transportation & Logistics | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
Published by : Eco Media Asia
It isn’t just passenger vehicles going green these days – mass transit is jumping on the zero-emissions bandwagon. Hyundai just unveiled its first mass-produced electric bus called the Elec City. After one hour of charging, the bus can travel 180 miles thanks to a 256kWh battery pack. Best of all, the company’s first emissions-free vehicle will be available for order in 2018.According to a report from Yonhap news agency, the company…
21 Jun
2017
India to only sell electric cars by 2030
Green Transportation & Logistics | INDIA
Published by : Eco Media Asia
India is taking huge strides to escape its dubious distinction as one of the most polluted countries on Earth. The government is taking dramatic measures to clean the country’s air – including the switch to sell solely electric cars in just 13 years.If the amount of diesel and petrol cars dwindles on the streets of India, the country could lower the dangerous levels of air pollution that have led to the deaths of 1.2 million people…
19 Jun
2017
World’s Smallest Garden lets you recycle old bottles into adorable hydroponic planters
Others | UNITED STATES
Published by : Eco Media Asia
You can always recycle an old wine bottle, but what if you could transform it into a tiny gardeninstead? Urban Leaf empowers people to grow food at home with the World’s Smallest Garden, which transforms used bottles into planters. It takes minutes to put together one of the mini gardens, which can grow greens and herbs year-round – and you can snag one on the cheap right now on Kickstarter. The World’s Smallest…
17 Jun
2017
Waterlily turbine powers your outdoor adventures with wind and water
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency | CANADA
Published by : Eco Media Asia
There is no shortage of great off-grid renewable power sources for your outdoor adventures from rugged solar chargers to the famous BioLite stove that charges your gadgets as you cook, but it's always fun to see new inventions that let us get away from the real world while still staying plugged in if we prefer. Doing just that, Seaformatics' Waterlily is a portable turbine that generates electricity from both water and wind. It's…
15 Jun
2017
Nonprofit teaches communities how to build homes out of straw, clay and soil
Green Building Materials, Construction & Design | UNITED STATES
Published by : Eco Media Asia
Emily Niehaus was working as a loan officer when she see realized that there was a need for affordable, sustainable housing options in her community. So she founded Community Rebuilds – a nonprofit that teaches people to build affordable homes out of “dirt cheap” materials like clay, straw and soil. Interns participate in a 5-month program, completing two homes from foundation to finish using sustainable living principles. Community…
13 Jun
2017
Glowing circle made from thousands of recycled notebooks celebrate Bilbao’s book festival
Others | SPAIN
Published by : Eco Media Asia
Don’t be fooled by the perfect circular shape of this glowing installation in Bilbao. A closer look reveals that the seemingly solid plane is actually made from thousands of illuminated notebooks. Created by anonymous artist collective Luzinterruptus, this curious installation, called Denboran Zehar, uses community interaction to rethink recycled materials.Commissioned by Azkuna Zentroa, Luzinterruptus crafted Denboran Zehar for the 10th anniversary…
11 Jun
2017
Architect designs solar-powered research center to save dying Lake Chad
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency | CHAD
Published by : Eco Media Asia
Lake Chad in Africa spanned over 770,000 square miles in 50,000 B.C., according to Cameroon-based architecture firm Hermann Kamte & Associates (HKA). But over the centuries it has shrunk, dwindling to a mere 1,544 square miles in 2001. HKA hopes to use architecture to jumpstart regeneration of the dying lake in the form of a desalination and research center called The Forgotten – Dead or Alive. The…
09 Jun
2017
Switzerland votes to ban nuclear power and invest in renewable energy
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency | SWITZERLAND
Published by : Eco Media Asia
Switzerland just passed a new energy law that promotes renewable energy and bans nuclear powerplants. The landmark vote brings the nation closer to meeting its goal of generating 4,400 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of renewable energy by 2020, and 11,400 GWh by 2035. Over the weekend, approximately 42% of the population turned up to vote in the national referendum, which marks the eighth time in recent history Swiss citizens have voted on the issue.Though…