janvier 2010
Soumis par jgeeslin le 7 janvier, 2010 - 11:52
You want to ride your bicycle everywhere, but you don't want to look silly doing it with your 90s nerdy helmet. Well the Danish designers at Yakkay have just come out with a stylin', and updated way to be safe with their new bike helmet covers. It can be fitted with a range of chic covers to transform it from a houndstooth peaked cap to a fuzzy faux-fur topper in seconds.
Soumis par Andy Sternberg le 21 janvier, 2010 - 04:01
The Dow Live Earth Run for Water is less than three months away but if you're in the Washington D.C. area and you register by January 25th, you can help get clean water to Haiti earthquake survivors today.
The January 12, 7.0-magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding areas only exacerbated severe economic and health problems for the least developed country in the Western Hemisphere.
Prior to the earthquake, only half the population of Haiti had access to clean drinking water and 30 percent had access to adequate sanitation.
Now Corrigan Sports is teaming up with charity partner Global Water Challenge to provide relief to Haiti with your help. For every person who registers for the Live Earth Run for Water in Washington, D.C. between now and January 25, CSE will donate funds to purchase five gallons of water for the people of Haiti.
Click here to register for the Dow Live Earth Run for Water at National Harbor on the Potomac or click here to find the Live Earth Run for Water near you!
Run (or walk) with us on April 18th!
Soumis par Geoff Livingston le 21 janvier, 2010 - 12:00
Every year the recycling industry in America saves 300 million tons of carbon emissions from entering the environment, says Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries and the EPA.
Consider that impressive number. We're so focused on creating new green technologies to save the environment! Yet simply being more mindful about recyclables can make a huge difference in our carbon footprint.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 22 janvier, 2010 - 14:00
Wherever the Need (WTN) has become an expert in the construction, maintenance and training in the use of ecosan toilets. Ecosans toilets are sanitation systems that separate the liquids from the solids for future use in agriculture. Having already built over 700 ecosan toilets in India for individual families, schools, women-only and complete communities, WTN is particularly keen to construct further systems in primary schools.
For example, it is estimated that the simple act of washing one's hands can reduce diarrheal illness by as much as 65%, yet frequently even where water facilities exist, this simple exercise is not carried out. As part of the training in the use of ecosan, hand washing is an important element. It need take very little water to wash hands, but the health benefits are profound.
Where there is a school ecosan toilet, children are likely to reach school early to take advantage of the facilities. They will be disease and illness free. These benefits, and the simple act of washing their hands, give them a safer and more secure start to life.
When liquids and solids are kept separate in a toilet there is no smell. The eco-san toilet have two chambers in each unit, so one is in use while the other is composting. Liquids can be diluted with water, and used directly on plants to give food yields markedly higher than those just given water alone. Solids are isolated in a chamber, where full pathogen-free composting can take place, and the risk of disease removed.
Soumis par Andy Sternberg le 23 janvier, 2010 - 08:51
Since Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake on January 12, killing an estimated 200,000 people, all eyes have been focused on the reeling country and charitable donations exceeded ten million dollars within days of the disaster.
On January 22nd, the entertainment world came together for Hope for Haiti Now, star-studded fundraiser and telethon that was broadcast on all major networks (in the U.S.) and streamed across the internet including here at liveearth.org.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 26 janvier, 2010 - 10:27
There are less than two weeks left before countries have to submit their plans for reducing their emissions and signing onto the Copenhagen Accord. If you want to keep track of which nations have actually submitted their pledges, or what some others are likely to do, the US Climate Action Network has a really cool, informative chart breaking it down for you here.
Cuba is the only one so far that has gone on record to reject the Accord on the grounds that it was not permitted to participate in the document's development.
Click here for information on how to understand everything about the Accord.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 24 janvier, 2010 - 04:00
This is one of the best ideas we've seen for building a nice home on a cheap budget and eco-friendly mind-set. The home was built in a poor village in Mexico and th Building Cheap and Stable Houses Out of Recycled Bottles e recycled bottles were filled with sand and tiny stones. The walls are built are thick enough to give them full thermal isolation and stability for the building.
You actually would never notice that this house is made of recycled bottles. This concept is so good that we hope it gains popularity amongst those who cannot afford expensive homes!
Click here for more info and for before and after pictures
Soumis par Geoff Livingston le 25 janvier, 2010 - 11:20
On Tuesday, we will test drive the new Chevrolet Volt, the highly talked about electric vehicle that will be released this year. In addition to its place as on of GM's cornerstones of the future, the Volt is supposed to be an incredible emissions saver, delivering 40 miles on a full charge. 75% of Americans drive less than 40 miles everyday. The car then uses it's gas engine to deliver a hybrid performance.
Soumis par Peter van der Linde le 25 janvier, 2010 - 13:00
Picture above: A close-up of the "Warhammer for Water" tabletop fantasy army. These hand-painted heroic scale miniatures are between 20 mm – 50 mm tall.
This weekend, Frenzy, the Dutch Warhammer championship, took place in the Rai in Amsterdam. For amateurs Michel, Merijn and Sjoerd (my brother) it was D-Day for their Warhammer for Water initiative.
After the guys glimpsed the Africa Interactive video of the project, they settled on supporting this Safe Drinking Water & Women empowerment project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, run by Akvo support partner Women for Water Partnership and field partner Soroptimist International of Europe Club.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 28 janvier, 2010 - 19:59
Americans toss out enough paper and plastic cups, forks and spoons every year to circle the equator an astonishing 300 times, and the folks at TakeOutWithOut are trying to do something about it! The group formed to convince restaurants to encourage and accommodate people who bring their own containers.
Soumis par Andy Sternberg le 26 janvier, 2010 - 06:00
The No. 1 ranked American marathon runner in 2009, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist and a professional athlete and fashion model are among the latest supporters teaming up with Live Earth in support of the Dow Live Earth Run for Water – the largest global water initiative in history aimed at helping solve the world water crisis.
Elite athletes Kara Goucher, Carl Lewis, and Jenny Fletcher have announced their participation in the April 18, 2010 events, which will feature a series of 6 km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to get water), concerts and water education activities taking place in countries around the world.
Soumis par Live Earth le 26 janvier, 2010 - 14:30
A shelter at an orphanage in Rwanda, made with ferrocement and bamboo. Photo ferrocement.com.
When I say "water tank," what image is conjured up in your mind? Is it one of those large black plastic tanks which you see so frequently in developing countries, usually perched on top of a small tower or on a roof? Millions of those are used around the world, so that image would be very appropriate. When I say "water tank," however, I think of something else entirely. I think of ferrocement: the best, strongest, durable, cheapest, and most versatile construction material I know. And I think of the water tanks I have built myself, using it.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 30 janvier, 2010 - 14:59
On the heels of U.S. President Obama's State of the Union address, the NRDC Action Fund has launched This is Our Moment -- a web video campaign that is urging Congress to pass the first-ever climate and clean energy bill that will break our dependency to foreign oil, reduce carbon pollution, and create thousands of green jobs.
The video campaign features celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jason Bateman, Chace Crawford, Felicity Huffman, Justin Long, Edward Norton, Emmy Rossum, Forest Whitaker and more.
Soumis par Geoff Livingston le 29 janvier, 2010 - 12:02
Earlier this week in Washington, DC, Jen Conner, John Taylor and I had the privilege of driving the Chevrolet Volt. We wanted to share our experience with this new technology-driven, plug-in electric car with Live Earth readers. Our primary goal was to find out if it would actually function as a day-to-day car.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 25 janvier, 2010 - 06:00
Every Monday we profile a Dow Live Earth Run for Water partner organization that works toward providing solutions to the nearly 1 billion people who lack access to clean, safe water. To donate to one of these projects, visit liveearth.org/give.
International Riverfoundation is an Australian-based charity with a vision of a world in which all rivers and waterways are healthy and sustainably managed. To this end, Riverfoundation is dedicated to driving the restoration and sustainable management of rivers and waterways around the world, to ensure that they will be protected for generations to come.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 20 janvier, 2010 - 05:38
Looks like taking public transportation is not only good for the world, but good for your pocket. According to a recent study by the American Public Transportation Association - the average American who takes public transit saves $9,240 a year!!
To come to this number, they compiled the average costs of parking, gas, and tolls each year. They also went as far as to report how much a rider saves in the 20 top cities for public transit.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 19 janvier, 2010 - 13:05
Go Green Expo is a fabulous green trade show and "green-living" showcase that will begin its tour around the U.S. this week, starting in Los Angeles on Saturday the 23rd.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 5 janvier, 2010 - 15:25
Just as wars over oil played a major role in 20th-century history, a new book makes a convincing case that many 21st century conflicts will be fought over water. China, Egypt and Pakistan are just a few countries facing critical water issues in the 21st century.
In Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power and Civilization, journalist Steven Solomon argues that water is surpassing oil as the world's scarcest critical resource. "We've now reached the limit where that trajectory can no longer continue," Solomon tells NPR's Mary Louise Kelly (listen to the audio below).
Soumis par Geoff Livingston le 5 janvier, 2010 - 12:58
As part of my participation in the AppMakr launch, I was given the opportunity to create my own iPhone application! The resulting application is the Greenversation app, which gathers the latest posts from my favorite environmental information resources. You can download the Greenversation app from the iTunes store now.
Soumis par Geoff Livingston le 6 janvier, 2010 - 05:00
The run-away smash hit Avatar has changed the paradigms of special effects and 3D filmmaking. James Cameron's script, while not critically acclaimed, has also achieved another notable achievement: Delivering a strong environmental message to the masses.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 6 janvier, 2010 - 15:14
The Summit on the Summit climb starts tomorrow! Emile Hirsch is joining Jessica Biel, Lupe Fiasco, Isabel Lucas, Elizabeth Gore, Alexandra Cousteau and many others for a week-long trek that will cover over 50 miles as they make their way to the top of the 19,341-foot African peak.
Soumis par Andy Sternberg le 11 janvier, 2010 - 17:56
Every Monday we profile a Dow Live Earth Run for Water partner organization that works toward providing solutions to the nearly 1 billion people who lack access to clean, safe water. To donate to one of these projects, visit liveearth.org/give.
BARKA Foundation is a UN-affiliated NGO based in the US and Burkina Faso, West Africa. It is focused on the achievement of the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in a single country - Burkina Faso, considered to be one of the poorest countries in the world. When BARKA's Co-Founders, Ina & Esu Anahata, first went to Burkina, it was to study and practice the ancient indigenous spiritual technologies which many shamans and elders still keep alive there today. This work changed their lives, revealed the truth in their bones and aligned them with life purpose. The loving care they received by the Burkinabe, a people rich in culture, tradition, music and wisdom, compelled Ina & Esu to do something about the chronic and vicious cycle of food insecurity, disease and extreme poverty in which they are trapped. BARKA Foundation was born.
Soumis par Live Earth le 12 janvier, 2010 - 03:22
A question: if we can fly to the moon, can we make a US$1 water filter for people to use in their homes? And, if the answer is yes, why haven't we yet? This is one of my favorite things: the quest for extremely affordable point-of-use water filters.
There are some hopeful developments. After Hindustan Unilever had introduced their Pureit water purifier at a price level of 30$ for a very well-designed and effective water filter, protected by 21 patents and using 5 water filtration steps, Tata Company recently introduced their Tata Swach water purifier, at $20, with 1 filtration step, but equaly good-looking. And we already had the Vestergaard Live Straw Family filter, also at $20. In the open source hardware corner, we have the biosand filters, and ceramic pot filters. Lots of good stuff.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 12 janvier, 2010 - 11:56
Check out this interview by OrganicNation.tv with the one and only Ken Cook, President of Environmental Working Group (EWG) about the challenges of scaling up organic food production while maintaining it's integrity.
During a visit to Organic Valley's Kickapoo Country Fair, OrganicNation asks Cook: "Consumers and activists alike tend to be nervous about big corporations taking over organic brands. How can we make organics available to a larger audience at cheaper prices while maintaining the standards on which organics were founded?"
Soumis par Andy Sternberg le 12 janvier, 2010 - 17:07
Jessica Biel, Lupe Fiasco, Isabel Lucas, Emile Hirsch, Santigold, Elizabeth Gore and Alexandra Cousteau were among the climbers joining Grammy-nominated musician and philanthropist Kenna for a Summit on the Summit at the top of Africa’s largest free standing mountain early this morning.
After six intense days of hiking and climbing, the group set out for their final trek at 1:30am local time and after nearly seven hours reached Mt. Kilimanjaro's Uhuru peak which generally has only a 75% success rate. Watch a video from day 5 of the climb below.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 13 janvier, 2010 - 13:30
Thousands may be dead after the horrendous earthquake that rocked Haiti on Tuesday January 12 -- possibly more than 100,000 -- according to some early estimates. Many others are left homeless or without adequate food, water and shelter on the island nation of 9 million after a magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck near the capital city Port-au-Prince.
Disaster relief organizations are rapidly mobilizing aid to Haiti and are asking or help. Funds are needed to provide enough safe water, temporary shelter and vital medical supplies.
Soumis par Geoff Livingston le 14 janvier, 2010 - 08:12
Above, you can see Cerre Torre, a new mountain created in the last ice age, with Glacier Grande at its foot. The lake providing the reflection has been created by the ice sheet's melting waters, and formerly was the bed of the glacier in previous eras.
Walking on a glacier can change your view of water (don't forget to sign up for the Live Earth Dow Run for Water). An important fresh water reserve, the Southern Patagonia Ice Field is the second largest extrapolar ice field in the world, and has been dubbed a global resource by UNESCO. While touring the glaciers of Patagonia last month, I did such a walk, and received an education on these shrinking resources.
Soumis par jgeeslin le 15 janvier, 2010 - 16:30
Earthquake survivors and medical facilities in Haiti are in desperate need of clean water to avoid the spread of disease.
The U.S. says it will send thousands of troops to Haiti to help rescue efforts in the wake of the devastating earthquake. President Obama pledged one of the biggest relief efforts in recent U.S. history and said Haiti would "not be forgotten" in its hour of need.
Soumis par Live Earth le 19 janvier, 2010 - 12:39
A broken Afridev pump, which cost 1000$ when it was placed. Can this be avoided? Picture Henk Holtslag
Did I mean "reliable?" no. Not necessarily. It seems logical to demand that water pumps be reliable, right? Shouldn’t the goal be to make water pumps that are of such a good quality, that they don’t need any maintenance, and will never break down? Of course, this goal can never be reached because everything that moves breaks down eventually. But should we at least strive to make a pump that fails only after a very long time, say 10-15 years? Surprisingly, this seemingly logical idea has some unintended and potentially troublesome consequences.
As an example, consider one of the most common pumps in Afica, the Afridev pump. It is very durable, sturdy, breaks down only after 10 years or so. A very nice, well-designed pump. In all of Afica, some 30% of these pumps are broken today, in some countries 70%, and they are not being repaired. What happened? And let’s be clear: the problem is not that things break down, because everything breaks down eventually. The problem is that they are not being repaired.
Soumis par Andy Sternberg le 29 janvier, 2010 - 13:20
click to watch!In this episode of Live Earth TV, we find out some of the elite athletes who will be participating in the 2010 Live Earth Run for Water and Kara Goucher, the #1 ranked marathon runner in the U.S. joins us on the show.
On Sunday April 18th, join us in cities around the world to raise awareness and funding for the largest global water initiative in history.
The Dow Live Earth Run for Water will feature a series of 6k run/walks, concerts and water education activities.
World renowned athletes Kara Goucher, nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis, and professional athlete and fashion model Jenny Fletcher recently announced their participation!
Click here to register for a Live Earth run/walk near you!
