The Arctic Hotel in Ilulissat, Greenland, is a charming little place on the West Coast, but no one would ever confuse it for a Four Seasons - maybe a One Seasons. But when my wife and I walked back to our room after dinner the other night and turned down our dim hallway, the hall light went on. It was triggered by an energy-saving motion detector. Our toilet even had two different flushing powers depending on - how do I say this delicately - what exactly you're flushing. A two-gear toilet! I've never found any of this at an American hotel. Oh, if only we could be as energy efficient as Greenland!
As the United States grapples for ways to break its dependence on foreign energy sources, one tiny town in Missouri seems to have it figured out.
Rock Port, in the northwest tip of the state, has been on the decline for decades, and its population dwindles each year. But a walk up to the old cemetery shows something that has put the wind, literally, back in the town's sails: four massive turbines.
Harnessing the energy of the sunlight that you purposefully block from your eyes while out on a bright and cheery day. Sounds very waste not, want not, right?
Well, a group of designers came up with just the solution you may want for this notion, and it just might be the best looking solar powered accessory we've seen so far.
The glasses are called SIG, or "Self-Energy Converting Sunglasses" and they can power your iPod or PSP while you're out walking around. The lenses are made of dye solar cells, and your iPod can plug into the jack at the bottom of the frame.
A trend is spreading through small towns across Germany. Tight budgets have forced hard decisions, including turning the lights out at night. No one is on the streets at night anyway, so why pay for the electricity to run the street lights? But residents have revolted. They fear an uptick in crime, or simply for their safety while stumbling through the dark streets to walk the dog or return from a late night out. Proving necessity is the mother of invention, a handful of clever solutions are being implemented; some with interesting consequences.
The solution seems to have started in the small town of Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz in the Erzegebirge. Over one and a half years ago, the 900 citizens of Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz were plunged into darkness each night, but given the option to turn the lights on by mobile telephone. Older citizens were concerned about their ability to master this new technology, but practice makes perfect. The first two weeks of the program, the lights remained on almost all night long as residents remained awake late for an opportunity to test the new system! But now the lights stay off except when needed. The town saves 4000 euros ($5300) per year. According to the Berliner Morgenpost daily newspaper, Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz is the inspiration for 4300 person community of Groß Pankow, the most recent community to consider on-call streetlight.
When your squadron commander meets you at your jet, it's normally not a good sign. "Waldo, we need to talk," he said as he headed for the aircraft hangar. Had I messed up? Was I in trouble? I gulped. Was something wrong at home?
A green florist is one who specializes in plants and floral arrangements that have not been treated with harmful pesticides or other substances. They also use green delivery methods, including hybrid cars, walking or biking to locations and recycled materials whenever possible.
We have to wear shoes to protect our feet during cold days, wet days or when we are walking on uneven, potentially dangerous surfaces. Some shoes, however, are not good for the environment.
Happy Golfer's Day! While some consider golf the "lazy man's sport," teeing up can actually be very good exercise. Shoot par with these surprising health benefits of hitting the green. One of the primary health benefits of golf is its cardiovascular impact. By foregoing a golf cart, golfers may walk up to 5 miles over varied topography.
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