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Vermicomposting by Ms. Thompson (example to follow)

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Vermicomposting by Ms. Thompson (example to follow)

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Vermincomposting is using worms to decompose food scraps and other organic material. The compost is considered some of the best fertilizer available for growing plants.

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My kitchen trash used to smell awful! Coffee grounds, banana peels, lettuce leaves, onion trimmings, orange peels, and plate scrapings all joined with an accumulation of papers, cans, plastic wraps, jars, and bottle caps to produce an unpleasant-and unusable-collection of refuse. Although I emptied the trash can frequently to reduce the odor in the kitchen, I had to hold my breath when I did!

But no longer! I've now solved my problem entirely with the help of Eisenia foetida, the common red wiggler (or brandling) worm. That's right, worms eat my garbage! What's more, they convert it to black, earthy-smelling, nutrient-rich humus that I use to grow delicious garden vegetables and beautiful houseplants. Operating an indoor worm-powered waste converter is easy, convenient, environmentally sound, and inexpensive. It's fun, too. Anyone can do it, and here's how.

The essential components of a home vermicomposting unit ("vermi" = worm) are an aerated container, some moist bedding, and a few thousand red worms. Because you'll be working with a dynamic process, you'll need to carry out certain maintenance procedures both to keep the worm population healthy and to obtain and utilize the end product. These tasks are scarcely demanding: Set your vegetable waste aside in a small container when preparing meals or cleaning up afterward, feed it to the worms once or twice a week, and every few months or so, remove the vermicompost and put the worms in fresh bedding.

To determine the size of your worm bin, keep track of the amount of kitchen waste you throw away for a couple of weeks. Use a small bucket or can, and collect such discards as potato peels, citrus rinds, greens, leftover vegetables, eggshells, and bread, just about any non meat food residues from your kitchen. Weigh your container to get the average number of pounds per week, then size the vermicomposter accordingly. Your worm bin should provide approximately one square foot of surface for every pound of garbage you'll bury each week. For example, the 8" × 2' × 2' box described here will handle about 4 pounds per week. This bin will be adequate for many one- or two-person households. Another common size is a 1' × 2' × 3' box, which will accommodate about 6 to 6-1/2 pounds of garbage. Aeration is important, and since red worms tend to be surface feeders rather than deep burrowers, a shallow bin with a large surface area is preferable to one that's tall and deep.

Build a Worm Bin

For an 8" × 2' × 2' bin servicing a two-person household, you'll need the following materials: four 8" × 23 3/8" pieces of 5/8" CDX plywood, one 24" × 24" piece of 5/8" CDX plywood, a hammer, a drill with a 1/2" bit, and thirty-six 6d flooring or pallet nails. (These nails have spiraled flutes on their shanks that increase their holding power, a particularly important quality for wood that'll be both damp and dry.)

Alternate the overlap on the sides, and put the box together with three or four nails per side. Hammer the bottom on, then drill nine 1/2" holes in the base for aeration and drainage, and set the bin on blocks, legs, or casters to allow air to circulate underneath. Although the worms rarely crawl out of the holes, small amounts of bedding or worm casts will drop out, so you'll probably want to place a sheet of plastic or a tray underneath the box when it's in its final location.

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Vermicomposting | MOTHER EARTH NEWS

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My kitchen trash used to smell awful! Coffee grounds, banana peels, lettuce leaves, onion trimmings, orange peels, and plate scrapings all joined with an accumulation of papers, cans, plastic wraps, jars, and bottle caps to produce an unpleasant-and unusable-collection of refuse.

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Iceland: World's Largest Clean Energy Producer Per Capita- Kent M

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Iceland: World's Largest Clean Energy Producer Per Capita- Kent M

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Although Iceland was once one of the poorest countries in Europe, recently, the country has been leading in producing the most green energy. With that being said, Iceland   has managed to provide 95% of the heat used in the country by using geothermal energy. This was only possible due to the unity between the government and communities around the country.

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In my entire life I have never breathed in purer air, drank cleaner water or felt so naturally energized. My family and I recently visited on a mission to encounter the country's vast wonderland of geological extremes, and see firsthand how Iceland rose to become the largest clean energy producer per capita in the world. The small island nation's energy use is impressively state-of-the-art, and their commitment to harnessing renewable energy resources is inspirational. A mere seven years ago, the country was on the brink of environmental and financial catastrophe.

Until the 1970s, Iceland was classified as a developing country by the United Nations Development Program. For centuries it was among the poorest in Europe, a nation dominated by sheep farming, fishing and a dirty energy mix of fossil fuel, imported oil and coal.

In the decades that followed, Iceland radically transformed its energy system to one that relies on domestic renewable sources. Today, all of Iceland's electric power is generated by hydropower and geothermal energy, and about 95 percent of the nation's heating demands are warmed by geothermal means. This was accomplished through localized, profit-driven initiatives led by communities, small villages and individual entrepreneurs.

Iceland's president, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, has had a great deal to do with the country's turnaround during his 19 year tenure. Grímsson has been a tireless advocate of sustainable development and an outspoken leader in climate action. He encourages global discussion that positions the economy at the center.

"It's about the economic transformation of the country to realize that the move from fossil fuel over to clean energy is fundamentally good business-it's fundamentally the road to prosperity and economic achievement," said Grímsson to an audience at Cornell.

In addition to enhanced quality of life and health of its citizens, Iceland's clean energy economy helped its people survive the banking collapse. Thanks in large part to the cost of heating and electricity for ordinary families, homes and businesses being comparatively very low to other European countries. With the long-term availability of clean energy at fixed prices, Iceland has become highly attractive for foreign investments. Some of the biggest aluminum smelters, data-storage centers, high tech industries and other thriving enterprises are now based in Iceland.

It's no wonder that Icelanders are the happiest people in the world, quite literally! Iceland is ranked the number two country in The Third World Happiness Report, released by the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Solutions Network's international team of economists, neuroscientists and statisticians.

In my role as chair of Mothers & Others for Clean Air, a chapter of the American Lung Association of the Southeast, I've worked tirelessly to fight for clean air and advocate for renewable energy expansion because we're acutely aware that public policy and the health and well-being of the American people are intrinsically linked.

According to U. S. Surgeon General Murthy, climate change presents a "serious, immediate and global threat to human health." I believe that President Obama's Clean Power Plan, the first ever federal rule to clean up carbon pollution from existing power plants, is a strong signal that the U.S. is joining Iceland and leading the world in addressing the threat of climate change at a critical time. While the primary goal of the plan is to reduce the country's outsized contribution to climate change, cleaning up the U.S. electricity sector offers a variety of other critical benefits to public and economic health as well.

By meeting the emissions goals for 2030, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates the U.S. will experience up to 3,600 fewer premature deaths, 90,000 fewer asthma attacks in children, 1,700 fewer hospital admissions and 300,000 fewer missed days of school. The Obama Administration recently furthered its commitment to #ActOnClimate with new proposed standards for methane emissions to reduce pollution and protect public health.

Seeing the majesty of the deep blue icebergs up close during my exploration of Iceland was a stark reminder of just how much is at stake. Aggressive melting of the ice in the Arctic is not only affecting Iceland, but causing extreme weather events in the U.S., Asia and other parts of the world. According to NASA, Greenland and Antarctica are losing three times as much ice each year as they did in the 1990s. Summer sea-ice cover is half as big as it was from 1979 to 2000, and many scientists are predicting an ice-free Arctic by the end of the decade. Fortunately, important climate research has been underway to help us understand what's happening as CO2 levels rise and the planet warms up.

Leading glaciologist, Dr. Jason Box, has been investigating Greenland ice sheet sensitivity to weather and climate as part of 23 expeditions to Greenland since 1994. His time camping on the inland ice exceeds one year. His Dark Snow Project investigates the forces driving the Arctic's ice loss and looks at the causes of surface darkening on the ice sheet that's been observed over the last decade. The Dark Snow Project is important in that it's bridging the communication gap with a wider public, connecting and informing a global audience on the key findings that give us a fuller story on climate change.

You can watch ice maverick Dr. Jason Box on Real Time with Bill Maher.

But this kind of critical climate research and communication needs to be met with action.

This year, the U.S. took on a two-year term as chair of the Arctic Council, the world's primary intergovernmental multilateral forum on the Arctic region. We have a unique opportunity and responsibility to present a vision for addressing the impacts of climate change. Iceland's transformation gives me great hope that we can not only transform our economy domestically and become a thriving clean energy economy, but catalyze climate action globally. The theme of the U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council is a reminder that we're all in this together: "One Arctic: Shared Opportunities, Challenges and Responsibilities."

​Sweden to Become One of World's First Fossil Fuel-Free Nation​
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Iceland: World's Largest Clean Energy Producer Per Capita

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In my entire life I have never breathed in purer air, drank cleaner water or felt so naturally energized. My family and I recently visited Iceland on a mission to encounter the country's vast wonderland of geological extremes, and see firsthand how Iceland rose to become the largest clean energy pro...

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When building green buildings/ homes solar energy is very important. Solar energy can be from solar panels or using simple concepts like having windows facing the sun. A good example of this would be the One Angle building in Manchester.

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Case study sustainability: One Angel Square, Manchester | Koninklijke BAM Groep / Royal BAM Group

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'Building a sustainable future' is the first objective of BAM Construct UK. One Angel Square, The Co-operative Group Headquarters, has achieve the highest ever new build BREEAM score of 95.16%.

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NASA is using technology at the International Space Station called an Airocide to purify our air quality

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No Credit Needed Financing

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Award Winning Design

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No Credit Needed Financing Approval Process Boils Down to Four Simple Questions:

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NASA Technology

Technology developed by NASA and used onboard the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.

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Award Winning Design

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Filterless Technology

Airocide uses filterless technology that removes particles so small that even the best HEPA filters can't trap them. It is low maintenance with no monthly filters to change and only requires a once a year reaction chamber kit replacement.

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Try Airocide for 60 days and if you don't feel better, or want to return it for any reason, you will receive a full refund. No hassle easy returns.

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Introducing Airocide

Finally, An Air Purifier That Can Help You Feel Better. Guaranteed.
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SALE! Original MSRP $1049

Airocide APS-200 PM 2.5

The APS-200 PM 2.5 is Airocide's most advanced air purification technology yet. It combines our storied NASA catalyst with additional air sanitizing media to cover the entire spectrum of indoor air quality issues. The state of the art carbon media is the most gas absorbent available on the market, and the MERV rated filter material is dense enough for hospital use. This product is an excellent VOC Air Purifier that is also proven to remove pernicious mold, bacteria, viruses, dust, dander, and cancer causing particulate matter. It maintains the sleek Airocide look we have been known for since 2013, and will be noticed anywhere it is placed in your home.

60-Day Risk Free Trial (easy, no-hassle return)

5-Year Warranty

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Airocide APS-200

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The Airocide APS-200 is a true filterless air purifier. It uses a NASA developed catalyst to safely remove all organic material from the air. This includes dangerous VOCs, allergy triggering mold spores, and illness causing bacteria and viruses. It is efficacious, but also beautiful. As an Edison Award recipient for design, it is a complement to any modern home. Our original Airocide is the winner of the prestigious Edison award. This design features a high gloss okra "void" complimented by a rich dark outer wood sleeve. Small and compact, yet powerful it can fit into any room.

60-Day Risk Free Trial (easy, no-hassle return)

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Airocide Refurbished

Airocide periodically makes available refurbished units which are slightly used but in perfect working order. Supplies are limited. Refurbished Airocide APS-200 units conform to the same standards we employ for brand new units while being easier on your wallet. They come with the same 60 Day Risk Free Guarantee that accompanies brand new units as well as a 5 year warranty. Quantities are limited. Act now and join the clean air revolution.

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"The Airocide had improved her breathing." CHICAGO TRIBUNE | June 2013 | View Full Article

"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know how helpful Airocide could be" MAXIM | June 13, 2013 | View Full Article

Works as advertised, what more could you want?

I am highly skeptical of all machines claiming to remove allergens from my home. None have ever worked for me, as I have severe allergies (and yet still have a pet...because I obviously love to torture myself). I'd been looking for something to stick in the bedroom the rabbit uses to help curb dander flow through the rest of the house.

I am highly skeptical of all machines claiming to remove allergens from my home. None have ever worked for me, as I have severe allergies (and yet still have a pet...because I obviously love to torture myself). I'd been looking for something to stick in the bedroom the rabbit uses to help curb dander flow through the rest of the house. This was the most expensive purifier on the market, so I thought I'd give it a go. The mid-grade and low end ones had never worked, so my hope was that more money = more breathing for me. Just like the instructions note, it takes a while to really get the full effects. The first immediate effect was smell reduction - the smell of rabbit litter box left in about three days and has never returned. After two weeks I was able to sit for three hours in the room without sneezing if the rabbit was not running around. One month in and I'm breathing better in the house in general and can clean the rabbit's room, even when he is running around, with minimal reaction. Was it expensive? Yes. Was it worth it? Definitely.

I kept it in a smaller room like my bedroom at first and it did even better...

I have had my unit almost a year....in five days it will be a year old. Still no notification of replacement of the flashing light to replace my reaction chamber. I bought one just recently to have on hand when it comes due. I have this baby in my kitchen - L-shape living room area and it does the job.

I have had my unit almost a year....in five days it will be a year old. Still no notification of replacement of the flashing light to replace my reaction chamber. I bought one just recently to have on hand when it comes due. I have this baby in my kitchen - L-shape living room area and it does the job. It really does keep the air crisp and clean. I kept it in a smaller room like my bedroom at first and it did even better but downstairs needed it desperately where I keep my Malamute. I really do think the trick to making the reaction chamber lasting longer is regular dusting. Keep it free from dust and you will get your money's worth of the factory included reaction chamber....I know....I'm still waiting for that flashing light!

I really like it so far

I have been using air cleaners with HEPA filters for almost 20 years now. I started off getting them for my allergies and found they really made a difference. Now I not only like them because of that but I got used to the white noise sound made by the various air cleaners that I've owned and can't sleep without it!

I have been using air cleaners with HEPA filters for almost 20 years now. I started off getting them for my allergies and found they really made a difference. Now I not only like them because of that but I got used to the white noise sound made by the various air cleaners that I've owned and can't sleep without it! For the last 5 years I've loved my Alen® A350 - Allergen Reducing HEPA Style Air Purifier - 750 Sq. Ft. It's a little large but it's good. The negatives are that you have to change the filters every 4-5 months (if you put it on medium or high) and they cost around $60+ each. The unit also looks very dusty and a little dirty even prior to your needing a new filter. I was really happy to give this new air purifier a try and am really happy to report that I like it. A lot. First of all there's practically nothing to put together and the instruction manual is just a few pages with everything you need to know about starting it up on one page. You basically put the grill on it and plug it in and power it up. The pluses: This thing is pretty and sleek. I didn't think I cared that much what my air purifier looked like but this changed my mind. It doesn't require any wiping down at all. I wish I could explain exactly how this thing works but I can say that there is no cleaning required and its surface is shiny and consistently clean. That amazes me. The noise it makes on high is really pleasant and for those of you who enjoy the sound of white noise at night, I think you'll be really happy. From what I understand, it only requires a reaction chamber replacement once a year (approx $100) which can be pricey, but it's cheaper than the $60+ 2x a year I am paying for replacement HEPA filters right now. And the biggest plus - I could tell right away (smell) the difference in the air. The best way I can compare that is to the smell you get when you first put in a new filter on a HEPA air purifier and turn it on high - it's that kind of clean smell. As far as negatives, this unit is pricey. It also has a slight chemical smell when you first put it on but that went away the next day for us. Lastly - I don't know if I can back up the claims that this will change people's lives and resolve people's illnesses. That's a strong claim and I am not an expert in how this unit works in terms of the science and I am not sure if you can ever really know - because there are so many factors to consider when one's health improves or takes a dive. What I can say is that our bedroom has that clean, wonderful scent that we get from using a fresh HEPA filter and I am really enjoying the way this thing looks, sounds, and the fact it stays clean. Recommended so far. I will definitely edit this review if I have any concerns or problems. Editing to add - I have now been using this air purifier for a while and am very happy with it. The room still has that clean, just-put-in-a-new-filter smell which is great, plus the unit itself is still shiny clean. Highly recommended but will edit this review if there are any problems.

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Hands down the most effective air purifying system I have ever owned.

I can't say enough about Airocide. I bought one for my upstairs bedroom and had such a dramatic improvement in my health situation that I bought a second one for my downstairs living area. If they were cheaper, I would put one in every area of the house and even one in my garage! I have had two major health issues. The first one is extreme allergies to cats, dogs, dust, pollen, mold, smoke and anything with chemicals (cleaning products, perfumes, etc.). I have no less than 5 different types of air purifiers throughout my living and office spaces. I always select the highest recommended, or the highest rated products so I own different technologies in many different price ranges.

I can't say enough about Airocide. I bought one for my upstairs bedroom and had such a dramatic improvement in my health situation that I bought a second one for my downstairs living area. If they were cheaper, I would put one in every area of the house and even one in my garage! I have had two major health issues. The first one is extreme allergies to cats, dogs, dust, pollen, mold, smoke and anything with chemicals (cleaning products, perfumes, etc.). I have no less than 5 different types of air purifiers throughout my living and office spaces. I always select the highest recommended, or the highest rated products so I own different technologies in many different price ranges. (Hepa, Charcoal, Ionizing, O2, Ozone, Ultraviolet, etc.) They all have their ups and downs and have all helped to keep my living space free of pollen, dog dander etc to varying degrees. In all my other dwellings, the other filters were more or less sufficient for dust, pollen and dander. But when I moved into my current house, my allergies were flaring big time even with 3 purifiers in the room! I think it is because I live in a forest, so the mold spores are off the charts. The other health issue that began here is what the doctors are calling fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue. Whatever you want to call it, it makes me wake up in severe pain unable to walk normally for about 1/2 hour-2 hrs. (Like the tin man that can't move anything until it gets oiled). The inflammation is severe. I read about airocide in a mold allergy group and immediately bought one. The first night I had it on in my bedroom was a MIRACLE. I thought it might be a fluke, so I tried the second and third nights. I couldn't believe the dramatic improvement in my health. I think it was probably on the 4th or 5th day that I immediately bought a second one for the downstairs. This is hands down the most effective air purifying system I have ever owned.

So good so far, hoping not a placebo effect

I'm on the same page as many of the other reviewers here, we think it's working as advertised but it's one of those things that can be hard to really tell. I've always suffered from congestion and frequent sinus issues, my nose was broken as a child, never set, and I believe has affected my health since then. We also rent a house which definitely has an issue with moisture and mold, as well as owning several pets... I run quite a few standard HEPA purifiers in my house, I have at least one I bought more than a decade ago that has been on 24/7 and is still going strong so I can only hope this lasts that long.

I'm on the same page as many of the other reviewers here, we think it's working as advertised but it's one of those things that can be hard to really tell. I've always suffered from congestion and frequent sinus issues, my nose was broken as a child, never set, and I believe has affected my health since then. We also rent a house which definitely has an issue with moisture and mold, as well as owning several pets... I run quite a few standard HEPA purifiers in my house, I have at least one I bought more than a decade ago that has been on 24/7 and is still going strong so I can only hope this lasts that long. With your standard purifiers you usually have a fairly loud, blowing, fan... you have filters that get replaced (or at the very least vacuumed out when you remember). It's pretty obvious that if nothing else they are collecting up some of the dust in your home. With this you have nothing. Visually you can't see anything happening, you can hear it (I have no issue with the noise, even on high... though I also use a white noise machine and previously had a fairly loud HEPA purifier running in the bedroom so I'm used to a pretty consistently loud white noise) but that's about it. I've only been using this for about a month, in that time I feel like I can breath better at night. I used to have to use a humidifier (goes against every common sense I have in a house with moisture issues but it was the only way my husband could breath w/o snoring and driving me crazy all night when he was congested) and since using this I haven't had to turn it on once. Our house is pretty open concept so I keep it in the bedroom with the door closed, and I do seem to wake up with less congestion than before. Our 117lb dog sleeps in our room and as with the HEPA filter his doggie odors aren't an issue. I wish I knew exactly how large of a space this was recommended for, anything I find online just says "single room" well a single room could be 8'x9′ or 25'x12′ etc. I also feel like it does better in a contained space just so that it can keep moving the same air through it... so a bedroom seems the best place for it. Looks wise it's awesome, I wish all air purifier developers would take a look... this looks like a piece of art or a speaker, I don't think anyone would guess it was an air purifier by looking at it. I have ours laying horizontally on top of our tv cabinet since the cats were trying to knock it over when I had it on the floor vertically. I suppose my biggest concern with it is if we're really experiencing results or if I'm imagining them... if you are using such an expensive machine, you want it to work. You don't want to feel like you've wasted your money or are being taken... I'll continue to use it and report back. I thought I'd also possible turn it off for a week or so and see how we're feeling. I did note today on the plus side that it seemed to make a change. I was outside... mowed the lawn, doing fall cleanup with pulling out dead plants/flowers, I was itchy, my eyes were watering, throat felt bad... all over just that nasty feeling you get after doing yard work. I took a shower and was still a mess. I sat down in our bedroom to just relax and read for a bit and realized that after about 1/2 an hour my eyes were no longer red or itchy, my throat felt better, and I wasn't as congested... which would tell me that the air in my bedroom was definitely fresher and breathing it affected how quickly I got over my little yard work experience. Last note, you do need to spend about $100 (at the time of this review) a year to replace the cartridges, honestly my HEPA filters are over $40 each and with the dust/pollen/pet hair I replace those more than 2x a year so I don't think $100 is really that big of a deal... I'm actually saving money vs buying all the prefilters and HEPA filters I was buying so while the initial cost is a good deal higher than your average air purifier, assuming this unit lasts well you'll quickly make up that difference in filter replacement savings if you go through them as often as we do.

It kills airborne germs and pathogens.

I just got a few of these. Yes, it makes a some noise, yes it's cool looking but I think most people are missing the point. It's obvious that many people don't truly understand the nature of this product. I think expectations have to be better managed. I agree the claims and marketing are a bit misleading. The marketing materials seem to be very dumbed down. That said, if you're looking to buy one, you need to understand what it is and what it ISN'T. Firstly, it's NOT A FILTER. It says so right on the website. Filters are basically dust catchers. So you can't fairly compare it to a HEPA filter. For lack of a better term, this thing is an air sanitizer. Just like using bleach to kill germs in your bathroom or using Purell hand sanitizer on your skin. It kills airborne germs and pathogens. Things in the air that can make you sick.

I just got a few of these. Yes, it makes a some noise, yes it's cool looking but I think most people are missing the point. It's obvious that many people don't truly understand the nature of this product. I think expectations have to be better managed. I agree the claims and marketing are a bit misleading. The marketing materials seem to be very dumbed down. That said, if you're looking to buy one, you need to understand what it is and what it ISN'T. Firstly, it's NOT A FILTER. It says so right on the website. Filters are basically dust catchers. So you can't fairly compare it to a HEPA filter. For lack of a better term, this thing is an air sanitizer. Just like using bleach to kill germs in your bathroom or using Purell hand sanitizer on your skin. It kills airborne germs and pathogens. Things in the air that can make you sick. This company makes the industrial version of this for food processing plants and hospitals where sanitary air is important.From their industrial products website:Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) The technology used in AiroCide Air Purifiers combines two known pathogen-killing techniques, Photacatalytic oxidation (PCO) and ultraviolet light to destroy harmful airborne microbes. The oxidant used in PCO is the oxygen that makes up 20% of our air. Because the concentration of oxygen in air is so much larger than the (total) concentration of gaseous indoor air pollutants, it is not necessary to employ additional oxidants such as ozone (O3) or hydrogen peroxide (H202). The system produce no oxone and are not filtering systems.Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the photocatalyst used. A unique process is used to create the patented TiO2 formula that coats the catalyst material. When this material is irradiated with the ultraviolet photons from the lamps inside, hydroxyl radicals and super-oxide ions are formed. These elements will oxidize (reduce to trace elements of carbon dioxide and water) volatile organic compounds (VOC's) absorbed on the catalyst surface. They will also kill and decompose airborne pathogens. Because the organic material is completely oxidized by this process, the photocatalytic reactor is self-cleaning relative to organic material on the catalyst surface.They have essentially created a home version of an industrial air sanitizer that has proven it's worth in commercial settings. But I can see how it's difficult to connect this idea to consumers. I think that's why the marketing is vague and this product is misunderstood. It's difficult to briefly describe what this product does.So in a nutshell, it's not an air cleaner. It doesn't filter or catch anything. It's a sanitizer. If you want a reduction in dust and airborne particles, get a filter. If you want to sanitize the air, get this. If you're a clean freak, get both.

Feel Better. Guaranteed.

The Airocide air purifier was developed for one reason, to help you and your family feel better.

This revolutionary technology developed by NASA is FDA-listed as a Class II Medical Device and is the first filterless technology of its kind. Unlike traditional air filters, Airocide destroys airborne organic matter, instead of trapping them. Our air purifier even eliminates the smallest of gases that not even the best HEPA filters can tackle. We're so sure that you'll feel better using the Airocide air purifier that we offer a 60-day money-back guarantee. If you don't feel the difference in 60 days, return it for a full refund. We'll even pay for return shipping.

FREE SHIPPING. FREE RETURNS.

EASY NO HASSLE RETURNS

1Contact Airocide.

2Get an email shipping label.

3Call FedEx or drop it at a FedEx location.

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The Revolutionary Airocide Air Purifier | Airocide.com

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No Credit Needed Financing NASA Technology Award Winning Design Satisfied Customers Filterless Technology Feel Better 60-Day Guarantee(EASY NO-HASSLE RETURNS) No Credit Needed Financing Approval Process Boils Down to Four Simple Questions: Income History Monthly Income Checking Account Checking Activity Three Flexible Payment Options Learn More NASA Technology Technology developed by NASA and used onboard the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.

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Train Transportation in New York City by Jaryd

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Train Transportation in New York City by Jaryd

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In New York City,  light rail has 24 different routes that let you cut across the city in about an hour if you ride a line from end to end. Since the city's population is so dense, you can save a lot of time and gas from place to place by taking the train because it travels practically everywhere in the city. It takes one hour to travel from one side of New York City to the other and saves a lot more energy than if you drove a vehicle.

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Do you prefer visiting US cities with good rapid transportation so you don't have to rent a car or walk miles to get from place to place? If so, these cities offer some of the best options for trains and tram transportation for sightseeing and commuting.

New York City

The Big Apple has one of the most extensive rapid transportation networks operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. You can ride the light rail subway with 24 different routes that let you cut across the city in about an hour if you ride a line from end to end. Riding the subway is usually the quickest way to get around New York City. Plus, all bus transfers are free within two hours of entering the subway station!

From New Jersey, you can ride a PATH subway to visit New York City from Newark, Harrison, Hoboken, and Jersey City.

Or, there are three commuter railroads that serve the outlying boroughs: the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and Staten Island Railway. You can use these commuter options to visit Montauk or Belmont for a weekend getaway.

When you need to catch an outbound flight from JFK Airport, you can also take AirTrain-JFK which conveniently operates 24/7. AirTrain stops at all nine connecting terminals for easy access.

Tip: Because any subway system has a small learning curve for first-time riders, be sure to use this free New York subway app to easily map your route.

San Francisco

San Francisco is known for their iconic cable cars, but the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) offers a speedy light rail system that also connects you to the San Francisco or Oakland airports and the cities of Oakland and Berkeley. Approximately 99% of San Francisco's population lives within a half-mile of a public transportation access point, so hopping on a train is super easy.

If a BART train doesn't serve your destination, you can also look for a Muni train operated by the San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Agency (SFMTA). Muni trains are the traditional rapid transit subway option. The SFMTA also operates the cable cars and bus routes within the city limits.

Boston

You can ride the Boston subway or local commuter rail routes to navigate the city and local communities. Buying a CharlieCard gives you access to the subway and free local bus routes within two hours of the original ride. Adults pay a flat rate for all subway rides. Children 11 and younger ride for free when accompanied by an adult.

For commuter trains, your fare is based on the distance traveled. Like the subway, children under the age of 11 rides for free.

Boston public transit is also disability-friendly. With their RIDE program, local and visiting passengers can get door-to-door service that other public transit systems don't offer.

Seattle

The city of Seattle has emphasized their rapid transit network in recent years. The dividends are beginning to show. Your best bet is one of these four King County Metro rail transit options: the Link (light rail), Seattle Streetcar, Seattle Center Monorail, and the Sounder train (commuter rail).

When you ride the Link light rail system, you can also transfer to a Metro or a Sound Transit bus to complete your trip. This rapid transit system is also an option to get you from downtown Seattle to the not-to-distant University of Washington with minimal effort.

Seattle commuting isn't an enjoyable experience due to the rapid city growth. If it's been a few years since you've visited this Pacific city, the new rapid transit offerings are a welcome addition.

Chicago

Chicago is another city where taking the Chicago "L" subway (Chicago Transit Authority) or the commuter Metro trains are your best option. You can use these two options to get downtown, transfer between O'Hare and Midway airports, or visit a surrounding community. If you want to catch a Cubs or White Sox baseball game, hop on the red line.

To save a few bucks, Chicago is also a walker-friendly city. You can easily walk a short distance instead of waiting for the next "L" train to arrive. It's a handy tip to remember if you need to travel during rush hour.

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is another locale where it's best to take the metro whenever possible. If you don't know, the nation's capital has one of the worst 10 driving commutes in the country. You can ride within the District or across the river to Virginia and Maryland on the Metro subway too.

If you want to hop onto the train when you fly into D.C., make sure you fly into Reagan National Airport (DCA). Work is currently underway to extend rail service to Dulles International Airport (IAD), but that's still a few years away.

Metro does have a few major capital projects that have impacted service during 2017 and 2018, so it's a good idea to check the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority website for the latest planned outage information.

In addition to riding the Metro subway, D.C. is also home to Amtrak's Union Station (which also doubles as a Metro stop) for domestic train travel. Once you find your way to Union Station, you can enjoy Amtrak routes, such as the Acela Express (D.C. to Boston) and the Vermonter (D.C. to Vermont).

For commuter rail options, northern Virginia is served by the VRE. On the Maryland side, you can ride the MARC train. MARC even operates from Baltimore, Maryland, and Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Philadelphia

Philly is another city where you might enjoy riding rapid transit instead of having to find a place to park. Parking can sometimes get creative in this city. The local mass transit authority is SEPTA which serves the following counties:

Inside the city of Philadelphia, there are three primary rail lines: the Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line, and the Norristown High-Speed Connector.

It's also possible to ride trolley lines that serve various parts of the city that aren't served by the three subway lines.

Atlanta

The population of Atlanta has exploded in the past 20 years. While most southeastern cities don't have much of a public transportation infrastructure, riding the Marta subway is your best option if you're downtown or live in a suburb. You can ride the subway from Atlanta International Airport to the downtown (Midtown area) for convenience.

The most recent transportation option is the Atlanta Streetcar with 12 stops at major locations in the city. The prices are also very reasonable to ride the Streetcar. Each adult only costs $1 each way. Children 46 inches and under are free.

Summary

Rapid transit isn't as prevalent in the United States as in other parts of the world, but there are many benefits of high-speed rail transit. If you don't want to have to rely on taxis, ridesharing, buses, or walking, you can visit these U.S. cities.

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What US Cities Have the Best Rapid Transportation?

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Do you prefer visiting US cities with good rapid transportation so you don't have to rent a car or walk miles to get from place to place? If so, these cities offer some of the best options for trains and tram transportation for sightseeing and commuting.

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Neutralization changes the physical, chemical, or biological composition of any hazardous waste. The process will eliminate or render it non or less hazardous to human health and the environment. The waste becomes easier and safer to transport, store, or get rid of in general.

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Hazardous Waste Management - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

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Engineers design and operate facilities to prevent, contain, decontaminate, and otherwise treat these wastes before they are released. However, hazardous waste engineering is most often associated with interventions after the wastes have been released. Engineers are frequently called on to address these wastes once they are released to the environment.

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India uses practices that help with the malnourishment epidemic by establishing an efficient water system. https://borgenproject.org/sustainable-agriculture-in-india/

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The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that in 2017, the United States emitted 5.1 billion metric tons of energy-related carbon dioxide , while the global emissions of energy-related carbon dioxide totaled 32.5 billion metric tons.

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What Makes a Sustainable or Eco-friendly City? 

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What Makes a Sustainable or Eco-friendly City? 

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The five key factors that make a city sustainable include:
* Public access to resources
* Urban revitalization actions
* CO2 emissions reduction
* Encouraging local food production and consumption
* Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
https://www.oxfam.org.au/oxfamliving/2017/08/21/5-essential-features-of-sustainable-cities-and-eco-cities/
Caroline Wills

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There are new, skyscraper sized HyperFilters being planned that will be implemented in cities to inhale carbon dioxide and other toxins in the air and filter them into clean air

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Hyper Filter Skyscraper- eVolo | Architecture Magazine

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Architecture and Design Magazine for the 21st Century. Organizer of the Annual Skyscraper Architectural Competition.

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WATER FILTERING RYAN SECREST SPONGEBOB #1 #2

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WATER FILTERING RYAN SECREST SPONGEBOB #1 #2

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At home with the use of water filters on your tap you can comfortably drink tap water eliminated the need for plastic bottles.
https://www.brita.com/water-pitchers/
The lifestraw helps people drink water from places where they drink otherwise. People who truly benefit from this are those without access to clean water.

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H1 Mrs Eaves 55pt Dark

H2 Mrs Eaves 45pt Dark

H3 Mrs Eaves 35pt Dark

H4 Mrs Eaves 25pt Dark

Body Text 16pt Regular Gilroy Center Body Text 16pt Regular Gilroy

Body Text 14pt Regular Gilroy Center Body Text 14pt Regular Gilroy

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WATER TECH Microplastics have been found in human blood. It's time to get them out of our drinking water. read more

WATER TECH A PSA on PFAS: What are they and how can you filter them from your drinking water? read more

IN THE PRESS

"LifeStraw Saves Those Without Access To Clean Drinking Water."

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We believe everyone deserves equitable access to safe drinking water. We design products that provide the highest protection from unsafe water and have positive impact on people and planet.

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Education (International) - Matthew Hartono

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Education (International) - Matthew Hartono

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Educating people in the world and spreading the news on how biodiversity is important. This will help with public awareness and this will then increase the people involved and able to influence government legislation.

https://greentumble.com/10-ways-to-conserve-biodiversity/#government

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Samuel Lee - High Temperature Incineration

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Samuel Lee - High Temperature Incineration

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Incineration detoxifies certain organic wastes but also destroys them. They use a fluidized bed incinerators, and liquid injection incinerators.

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Treatment, storage, and disposal

Several options are available for hazardous-waste management. The most desirable is to reduce the quantity of waste at its source or to recycle the materials for some other productive use. Nevertheless, while reduction and recycling are desirable options, they are not regarded as the final remedy to the problem of hazardous-waste disposal. There will always be a need for treatment and for storage or disposal of some amount of hazardous waste.

Treatment

Hazardous waste can be treated by chemical, thermal, biological, and physical methods. Chemical methods include ion exchange, precipitation, oxidation and reduction, and neutralization. Among thermal methods is high-temperature incineration, which not only can detoxify certain organic wastes but also can destroy them. Special types of thermal equipment are used for burning waste in either solid, liquid, or sludge form. These include the fluidized-bed incinerator, multiple-hearth furnace, rotary kiln, and liquid-injection incinerator. One problem posed by hazardous-waste incineration is the potential for air pollution.

Biological treatment of certain organic wastes, such as those from the petroleum industry, is also an option. One method used to treat hazardous waste biologically is called landfarming. In this technique the waste is carefully mixed with surface soil on a suitable tract of land. Microbes that can metabolize the waste may be added, along with nutrients. In some cases a genetically engineered species of bacteria is used. Food or forage crops are not grown on the same site. Microbes can also be used for stabilizing hazardous wastes on previously contaminated sites; in that case the process is called bioremediation.

The chemical, thermal, and biological treatment methods outlined above change the molecular form of the waste material. Physical treatment, on the other hand, concentrates, solidifies, or reduces the volume of the waste. Physical processes include evaporation, sedimentation, flotation, and filtration. Yet another process is solidification, which is achieved by encapsulating the waste in concrete, asphalt, or plastic. Encapsulation produces a solid mass of material that is resistant to leaching. Waste can also be mixed with lime, fly ash, and water to form a solid, cementlike product.

Surface storage and land disposal

Hazardous wastes that are not destroyed by incineration or other chemical processes need to be disposed of properly. For most such wastes, land disposal is the ultimate destination, although it is not an attractive practice, because of the inherent environmental risks involved. Two basic methods of land disposal include landfilling and underground injection. Prior to land disposal, surface storage or containment systems are often employed as a temporary method.

Temporary on-site waste storage facilities include open waste piles and ponds or lagoons. New waste piles must be carefully constructed over an impervious base and must comply with regulatory requirements similar to those for landfills. The piles must be protected from wind dispersion or erosion. If leachate is generated, monitoring and control systems must be provided. Only noncontainerized solid, nonflowing waste material can be stored in a new waste pile, and the material must be landfilled when the size of the pile becomes unmanageable.

A common type of temporary storage impoundment for hazardous liquid waste is an open pit or holding pond, called a lagoon. New lagoons must be lined with impervious clay soils and flexible membrane liners in order to protect groundwater. Leachate collection systems must be installed between the liners, and groundwater monitoring wells are required. Except for some sedimentation, evaporation of volatile organics, and possibly some surface aeration, open lagoons provide no treatment of the waste. Accumulated sludge must be removed periodically and subjected to further handling as a hazardous waste.

Many older, unlined waste piles and lagoons are located above aquifers used for public water supply, thus posing significant risks to public health and environmental quality. A large number of these old sites have been identified and scheduled for cleanup, or remediation.

Secure landfills

Landfilling of hazardous solid or containerized waste is regulated more stringently than landfilling of municipal solid waste. Hazardous wastes must be deposited in so-called secure landfills, which provide at least 3 metres (10 feet) of separation between the bottom of the landfill and the underlying bedrock or groundwater table. A secure hazardous-waste landfill must have two impermeable liners and leachate collection systems. The double leachate collection system consists of a network of perforated pipes placed above each liner. The upper system prevents the accumulation of leachate trapped in the fill, and the lower serves as a backup. Collected leachate is pumped to a treatment plant. In order to reduce the amount of leachate in the fill and minimize the potential for environmental damage, an impermeable cap or cover is placed over a finished landfill.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

A groundwater monitoring system that includes a series of deep wells drilled in and around the site is also required. The wells allow a routine program of sampling and testing to detect any leaks or groundwater contamination. If a leak does occur, the wells can be pumped to intercept the polluted water and bring it to the surface for treatment.

One option for the disposal of liquid hazardous waste is deep-well injection, a procedure that involves pumping liquid waste through a steel casing into a porous layer of limestone or sandstone. High pressures are applied to force the liquid into the pores and fissures of the rock, where it is to be permanently stored. The injection zone must lie below a layer of impervious rock or clay, and it may extend more than 0.8 km (0.5 mile) below the surface. Deep-well injection is relatively inexpensive and requires little or no pretreatment of the waste, but it poses a danger of leaking hazardous waste and eventually polluting subsurface water supplies.

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Hazardous-waste management - Treatment, storage, and disposal

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Hazardous-waste management - Treatment, storage, and disposal: Several options are available for hazardous-waste management. The most desirable is to reduce the quantity of waste at its source or to recycle the materials for some other productive use. Nevertheless, while reduction and recycling are desirable options, they are not regarded as the final remedy to the problem of hazardous-waste disposal.

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Tesla's solar roof  is a set of panels designed to look like traditional shingles which will be released more widely later this year.  Tesla has cut the prices of its solar panels today in an attempt to halt the decline of its solar business.
https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/30/18523750/tesla-solar-panels-price-slash-decline-sales-roof

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Air quality is an important factor to consider when building a green building. Having good air quality will protect human health and the environment as well. A good example of this is the Manitoba Hydro Place in Winnipeg.

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Manitoba Hydro Place in downtown Winnipeg.
Enlarge image.

Quick facts

Officially opened: September 29, 2009;

Building size: 64,590 square metres;

Number of storeys: total of 22;

Building height:

115 metres to top of solar chimney;

88.6 metres to top of building;

98.6 metres to top of mechanical penthouse.

Occupant capacity: 2,245;

Green roofs: 3rd floor, east and west sides;

Underground parking: 152 spaces;

Building cost: $283 million.

Efficient energy design

Manitoba Hydro Place uses 70% less energy than a comparable office building of conventional design. In May 2012, it was awarded a Platinum certification for its adherence to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards by Canada Green Building Council.

Passive systems (i.e. south-facing winter gardens, natural daylighting, and the solar chimney) take advantage of the environment and natural processes to reduce energy usage. Active systems (i.e. dimmable, programmable lighting) help maximize the effectiveness of passive systems and supplement them as required.

Healthy and productive workplace

large open work spaces and raised flooring provide flexibility in use of space and improved air quality;

atria staircases encourage walking to adjacent floors, support internal communications, and minimize travel distances;

accessible rooftop terraces and atria are used seasonally as meeting places;

atria water features regulate air humidity: in summer, cooler water absorbs additional moisture and lowers humidity; in winter, warmer water adds humidity.

Energy efficiency/sustainability

3- and 6-storey atria function as solar collectors, air exchangers, air handlers, and air shafts;

south-facing winter gardens warm air entering the building;

natural ventilation minimizes the need for a forced-air circulation system:

fresh air is drawn into the south atria and is conditioned as it rises;

air flows through the building via raised floors and flows up the solar chimney;

the parkade is heated with exhaust air routed from the solar chimney during winter months.

operable windows on the inner wall of the double façade add to natural ventilation;

higher ceilings maximize natural lighting and reduce lighting requirements;

geothermal heat pump system warms the building in winter and cools it in the summer;

energy efficient lighting, pumps, and drives.

Signature architecture

unique design in the form of 2 large masses separated by a light structured, transparent, south-facing atria;

2 small waterfalls in the main gallery cascade water over a granite surface, replicating the spillway of a hydroelectric generating station;

2006 winner of Canadian Architect's Award for Design Excellence.

Urban design

podium and tower marries the large building mass with street level scale;

connects to the downtown skywalk system;

the main gallery provides space for community and corporate events;

landscaped public courtyard and park Graham Avenue.

Design and engineering

Design architect: Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects, Toronto;

Energy engineering: Transsolar Energietechnik GMBH, Stuttgart, Germany;

Construction manager: PCL Constructors Canada Inc., Winnipeg;

Quantity surveyor: Hanscomb Limited, Winnipeg;

Structural engineering: Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd., Winnipeg/Halcrow Yolles, Toronto;

Electrical & mechanical: AECOM Inc., Winnipeg;

Civil engineering: Wardrop Engineering Inc., Winnipeg;

Geotechnical engineering: UMA Engineering Ltd., Winnipeg/Dyregrov Consultants, Winnipeg;

Landscape architect: Hilderman Thomas Frank Cram, Winnipeg/Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg, Vancouver;

Water feature: Dan Euser Waterarchitecture Inc., Toronto.

Manitoba Hydro Place: Construction Highlights

Construction highlights of one of North America's most energy efficient and green office towers: Manitoba Hydro Place in downtown Winnipeg.
Play video: Manitoba Hydro Place: Construction Highlights. (2:56)

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Manitoba Hydro Place design & construction

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Officially opened: September 29, 2009; Building size: 64,590 square metres; Number of storeys: total of 22; Building height: 115 metres to top of solar chimney; 88.6 metres to top of building; 98.6 metres to top of mechanical penthouse. Occupant capacity: 2,245; Green roofs: 3rd floor, east and west sides; Underground parking: 152 spaces; Building cost: $283 million.

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Using vertical farming techniques is a more efficient way to farm. It saves space, can produce 75x more  food than traditional farming, and all of the conditions can be controlled.

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Vertical Farming Indoor Agriculture, Microclimates, Green Houses, Hydroponincs, Aeroponincs, Aquaponics, Aquaculture, Micro Greens, LED Grow Lights

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The new Foobot is an air quality monitor that you have in your home to tell you the quality of the indoor air

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Before the first generation of Foobot was launched in 2014, you would have had to pay thousands of dollars for a lab-grade air monitor. However, such devices are not suitable for homes.

Families need answers for questions like, "Is my detergent making my air less healthy?" or "Do I need to open the window right now?" This is why we created Foobot. Our sensor has been designed to detect the trends of air quality, and it lets you know whether things are getting better or worse.

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Before the first generation of Foobot was launched in 2014, you would have had to pay thousands of dollars for a lab-grade air monitor. However, such devices are not suitable for homes. Families need answers for questions like, "Is my detergent making my air less healthy?"

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Fair trade protects agricultural habitats and promotes biodiversity by not abusing native environments.

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Fair trade is a global movement made up of a diverse network of producers, companies, consumers, advocates, and organizations putting people and planet first.

We at Fair Trade USA ® believe that everyone wants to do what's right - for their families, fellow global citizens, and the planet. That's why we're committed to making the right choices the most obvious ones. Based on the simple idea that the products bought and sold every day are connected to the livelihoods of others, fair trade is a way to make a conscious choice for a better world. A choice for Fair Trade Certified™ goods is a choice to support responsible companies, empower farmers, workers, and fishermen, and protect the environment. In other words, it's a world-changing way of doing business.

What does fair trade certification mean?

When you see a product with the Fair Trade Certified seal, you can be sure it meets rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards. That means:

Safe working conditions

Environmental protection

Sustainable livelihoods

Community Development Funds

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Fair trade is a global movement made up of a diverse network of producers, companies, consumers, advocates, and organizations putting people and planet first. We at Fair Trade USA ® believe that everyone wants to do what's right - for their families, fellow global citizens, and the planet.

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For families who can not quite invest in a larger-scale renewable energy source such as windmills, or solar panels, a solar oven is a good way to start. Instead of powering your entire house, a solar oven allows you to still support the environment in a small way, by utilizing the sun's natural heat to power your oven. This is a good way to save money and help save the environment.

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8 Ways to Power Your Home With Renewable Energy

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Power your home, save money, and help the environment.

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Transportation is one of the highest contributors to greenhouse-gas emissions and pollution, and if we don't fix how we get from place to place in a more sustainable manner soon, energy consumption rates could go up by more than 200%. Because the number of car crashes will fall with self-driving cars, the production of safety equipment and vehicle testing should decrease as well which helps not take up as many natural resources. The newer vehicles may also boast of more efficient fuel economy. They’re designed to be more programmed to take the most efficient routes that avoid traffic, hazards, and saves you time.

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The widespread public debut of self-driven cars is growing closer every day. Tesla has developed a revolutionary autopilot feature, Uber has a self-driving fleet, Nissan is working on its own self-driving taxi service in Japan, and Google already operates a self-driving vehicle for cartography purposes.

Autonomous cars and trucks are expected to make the world a safer place. Analysts predict that when they go mainstream, accidents will fall by 90 percent. But how will these vehicles treat the environment?

Humans Hold Environmental Power with Autonomous Vehicles

It's well established that autonomous vehicles take the person out of the driver's seat, but that doesn't mean human beings are no longer part of the equation. The environmental impact of self-driving vehicles depends primarily on what we choose to do with them.

"The impacts if you look into full vehicle automation could be huge," says Jeff Gonder, a transportation researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). "Hugely positive or you could have huge increases in energy use."

Transportation is currently one of the highest contributors to greenhouse-gas emissions and pollution. Gonder's research shows that if we don't adjust our transportation use properly, energy consumption could increase by more than 200 percent.

This will especially be the case if our choices increase the number of vehicles on the road. Right now, a percentage of the residents in large metro regions rely on public transportation because it's more reliable and easier than driving a privately owned vehicle.

But the advent of self-driving vehicles could make it more appealing to take a ride. Consumers might opt for driving instead of walking or public transport, because the vehicle will pull right up to their door.

Autonomous Vehicles Could Potentially Be Huge Energy Savers

On the other hand, we have the potential to cut energy consumption by a whopping 90 percent, according to NREL research. A huge contributor would be reduction in collisions.

Because the number of car crashes will almost certainly fall with self-driving cars, the production of safety equipment and vehicle testing should decrease as well. The newer vehicles may also boast of more efficient fuel economy. They're designed to be more aerodynamic and programmed to take the most efficient routes.

Autonomous vehicles are also programmed to operate in a more fuel-efficient manner. Human drivers tend to ride the gas and brakes heavier than necessary, which burns excessive fuel. In contrast, self-driving trucks and cars can be programmed to operate at maximum efficiency all the time.

Ann Schlenker, a transportation research director at Argonne National Laboratory, points to current successful models of sharing services to show how we can conserve more energy. "On-demand services, bike sharing, more electric vehicles and fuel cells, smart traffic signals," she cites as exampled.

"I can model all of that in a system and then predict what the energy consequences are. That's what I do on a daily basis."

The Variables Surrounding Autonomous Vehicle Energy Consumption

The possibilities for reduced energy consumption entail many variables. One of the most prominent is government intervention.

When this new type of vehicle hits the road, officials will have room to create energy-efficient policies like a minimum fuel efficiency rating or laws about driving too far without a passenger.

Though the number of miles driven by the average person could increase, he or she will also have the wherewithal to reduce consumption. If environmental consciousness continues to be a growing trend, consumers should take advantage of the emission-savings capacity of their vehicle.

It may mean fewer vehicles per household, since the same car can drive everyone to their destination in an efficient manner. Many autonomous vehicles are also being designed to be entirely electric. This doesn't necessarily reduce energy consumption, but it cuts emissions and air pollution.

Ultimately, self-driving cars can have immense power to reduce emissions and make the environment a better place if their drivers choose to make it so. The potential for a more fuel-efficient society is there; we just have to choose to take advantage of it.

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How Self-Driving Cars Could Impact the Environment

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Ultimately, self-driving cars can have immense power to reduce emissions and make the environment a better place if their drivers choose to make it so. The potential for a more fuel-efficient society is there; we just have to choose to take advantage of it.

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The increasing prevalence of light rails - Yonas Mekonnen

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The increasing prevalence of light rails - Yonas Mekonnen

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Many cities across the country are adopting light rails to increase public transportation usage. The fastest one in the world is in Japan.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/new-options-for-seattle-light-rail-routes-could-add-big-dollars-to-expansion-project/

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Using containers or tanks, you can fill them up with hazardous waste that is hard to break down to smaller fractions of the usual amount. Being suitable for any form that hazardous waste comes in, you can store all of it in containers for many years.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hazardous Waste Management - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Engineers design and operate facilities to prevent, contain, decontaminate, and otherwise treat these wastes before they are released. However, hazardous waste engineering is most often associated with interventions after the wastes have been released. Engineers are frequently called on to address these wastes once they are released to the environment.

# data[].attributes.body
Smith suggests dividing the many approaches into two categories—relatively low-tech "no regrets" strategies that are ready to go, such as reforestation and improving agricultural practice, and advanced options that need substantial research and development to become viable.

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By Mary Hoff

Klaus Lackner has a picture of the future in his mind, and it looks something like this: 100 million semi-trailer-size boxes, each filled with a beige fabric configured into what looks like shag carpet to maximize surface area. Each box draws in air as though it were breathing. As it does, the fabric absorbs carbon dioxide, which it later releases in concentrated form to be made into concrete or plastic or piped far underground, effectively cancelling its ability to contribute to climate change.

Though the technology is not yet operational, it's "at the verge of moving out of the laboratory, so we can show how it works on a small scale," said Lackner, director of the Center for Negative Carbon Emissions at Arizona State University. Once he has all the kinks worked out, he figured that, combined, the network of boxes could capture perhaps 100 million metric tons (110 million tons) of CO2 per day at a cost of $30 per ton-making a discernible dent in the climate-disrupting overabundance of CO2 that has built up in the air since humans began burning fossil fuels in earnest 150 years ago.

Lackner is one of hundreds, if not thousands, of scientists around the world who are working on ways to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, capturing carbon from the atmosphere using plants, rocks or engineered chemical reactions and storing it in soil, products such as concrete and plastic, rocks, underground reservoirs or the deep blue sea.

Some of the strategies-known collectively as carbon dioxide removal or negative emissions technologies-are just twinkles in their envisioners' eyes. Others-low-tech schemes like planting more forests or leaving crop residues in the field, or more high-tech "negative emissions" setups like the CO2-capturing biomass fuel plant that went online last spring in Decatur, Illinois-are already underway. Their common aim: To help us out of the climate change fix we've gotten ourselves into.

"We can't just decarbonize our economy, or we won't meet our carbon goal," said Noah Deich, co-founder and executive director with the Center for Carbon Removal in Oakland, California. "We have to go beyond to clean up carbon from the atmosphere ... [And] we need to start urgently if we are to have real markets and real solutions available to us that are safe and cost effective by 2030."
Many Approaches
Virtually all climate change experts agree that to avoid catastrophe we must first and foremost put everything we can into reducing CO2 emissions. But an increasing number are saying that's not enough. If we are to limit atmospheric warming to a level below which irreversible changes become inevitable, they argue, we'll need to actively remove CO2 from the air in fairly hefty quantities as well.

"It's almost impossible that we would hit 2°C, and even less so 1.5°C, without some sort of negative emissions technology," said Pete Smith, chair in plant and soil science at the University of Aberdeen and one of the world's leaders in climate change mitigation.

In fact, scientists from around the world who recently drew up a "road map" to a future that gives us good odds of keeping warming below the 2 ºC threshold lean heavily on reducing carbon emissions by completely phasing out fossil fuels-but also require that we actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Their scheme calls for sequestering 0.61 metric gigatons (a gigaton, abbreviated Gt, is a billion metric tons or 0.67 billion tons) of CO2 per year by 2030, 5.51 by 2050, and 17.72 by 2100. Human-generated CO2 emissions were around 40 Gt in 2015, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Reports periodically appear pointing out that one approach or another is not going to cut it: Trees can store carbon, but they compete with agriculture for land, soil can't store enough, machines like the ones Lackner envisions take too much energy, we don't have the engineering figured out for underground storage.

It's likely true that no one solution is the fix, all have pros and cons, and many have bugs to work out before they're ready for prime time. But in the right combination, and with some serious research and development, they could make a big difference. And, as an international team of climate scientists recently pointed out, the sooner the better, because the task of reducing greenhouse gases will only become larger and more daunting the longer we delay.

Smith suggests dividing the many approaches into two categories-relatively low-tech "no regrets" strategies that are ready to go, such as reforestation and improving agricultural practice, and advanced options that need substantial research and development to become viable. Then, he suggests, deploy the former and get working on the latter. He also advocates for minimizing the downsides and maximizing the benefits by carefully matching the right approach with the right location.

"There are probably good ways and bad ways of doing everything," Smith said. "I think we need to find the good ways of doing these things."

Deich, too, supports the simultaneous pursuit of multiple options. "We don't want a technology, we want lots of complementary solutions in a broader portfolio that updates often as new information about the solutions emerges."

With that in mind, here is a quick look at some of the main approaches being considered, including a ballpark projection based on current knowledge of CO2 storage potential distilled from a variety of sources-including preliminary results from a University of Michigan study expected to be released later this year-as well as summaries of advantages, disadvantages, maturity, uncertainties and thoughts about the circumstances under which each might best be applied.
Afforestation and Reforestation
Pay your entrance fee, drive up a winding road through Sequoia National Park in California, hike half a mile through the woods, and you'll find yourself at the feet of General Sherman, the world's largest tree. With some 52,500 cubic feet (1,487 cubic meters) of wood in its trunk, the behemoth has more than 1,400 metric tons (1,500 tons) of CO2 trapped in its trunk alone.

Though its size is clearly exceptional, the General gives an idea of trees' potential to suck CO2 from the air and store it in wood, bark, leaf and root. In fact, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimated that a single hectare (2.5 acres) of forest can take up somewhere between 1.5 and 30 metric tons (1.6 and 33 tons) of CO2 per year, depending on the kinds of trees, how old they are, the climate and so on.

Worldwide forests currently sequester on the order of 2 Gt CO2 per year. Concerted efforts to plant trees in new places (afforest) and replant deforested acreage (reforest) could increase this by a gigaton or more, depending on species, growth patterns, economics, politics and other variables. Forest management practices emphasizing carbon storage and genetic modification of trees and other forest plants to improve their ability to take up and store carbon could push these numbers higher.

Another way to help enhance trees' ability to store carbon is to make long-lasting products from them-wood-frame buildings, books and so on. Using carbon-rich wood for construction, for example, could extend trees' storage capacity beyond forests' borders, with wood storage and afforestation combining for a potential 1.3-14 Gt CO2 per year possible, according to The Climate Institute, an Australia-based research organization.
iStockphoto.com/holgs Carbon Farming
Most farming is intended to produce something that's harvested from the land. Carbon farming is the opposite. It uses plants to trap CO2, then strategically uses practices such as reducing tilling, planting longer-rooted crops and incorporating organic materials into the soil to encourage the trapped carbon to move into-and stay in-the soil.

"Currently, many agricultural, horticultural, forestry and garden soils are a net carbon source. That is, these soils are losing more carbon than they are sequestering," noted Christine Jones, founder of the Australia-based nonprofit Amazing Carbon. "The potential for reversing the net movement of CO2 to the atmosphere through improved plant and soil management is immense. Indeed, managing vegetative cover in ways that enhance the capacity of soil to sequester and store large volumes of atmospheric carbon in a stable form offers a practical and almost immediate solution to some of the most challenging issues currently facing humankind."

Soil's carbon-storing capacity could go even higher if research initiatives by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, a U.S. government agency that provides research support for innovative energy technologies, and others aimed at improving crops' capacity to transfer carbon to the soil are successful. And, points out Eric Toensmeier, author of The Carbon Farming Solution, the capacity of farmland to store carbon can be dramatically increased by including trees in the equation as well.

"Generally it is practices that incorporate trees that have the most carbon [storage]-often two to 10 times more carbon per hectare, which is a pretty big deal," Toensmeier said.
Creative Commons
Other Vegetation

Although forests and farmland have drawn the most attention, other kinds of vegetation-grasslands, coastal vegetation, peatlands-also take up and store CO2, and efforts to enhance their ability to do so could contribute to the carbon storage cause around the world.

Coastal plants, such as mangroves, seagrasses and vegetation inhabiting tidal salt marshes, excel at sequestering CO2 in vegetation-significantly more per area than terrestrial forests, according to Meredith Muth, international program manager with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"These are incredibly carbon-rich ecosystems," said Emily Pidgeon, Conservation International senior director of strategic marine initiatives. That's because the oxygen-poor soil in which they grow inhibits release of CO2 back to the atmosphere, so rather than cycling back into the atmosphere, carbon simply builds up layer by layer over the centuries. With mangroves sequestering roughly 1,400 metric tons (1,500 tons) per hectare (2. 5 acres); salt marshes, 900 metric tons (1,000 tons); and seagrass, 400 metric tons (400 tons), restoring lost coastal vegetation and extending coastal habitats holds potential to sequester substantial carbon. And researchers are eyeing strategies such as reducing pollution and managing sediment disturbance to make these ecosystems absorb even more CO2.

And, Pidgeon added, such vegetation provides a double climate benefit because it also helps protect coastlines from erosion as warming causes sea levels to rise.

"It's the perfect climate change ecosystem, especially in some of the more vulnerable places," she said. "It provides storm protection, erosion control, maintains the local fishery. In terms of climate change, it's immensely valuable, whether talking mitigation or adaptation."
iStockphoto.com/MorganLeeAlain Bioenergy & Bury
In addition to tapping vegetation's capacity to store CO2 in plant parts and soil, humans can enhance sequestration by socking away the carbon plants absorb in other ways. A $208 million power plant that started operation earlier this year in the heart of Illinois farm country is a tangible example of this approach and what is currently widely seen as the most promising technology-based strategy for removing large amounts of carbon from the air: bioenergy carbon capture and storage, or BECCS.

BECCS generally starts with converting biomass into a usable energy source such as liquid fuel or electricity. But then it takes the concept one key step further. Rather than sending the CO2 released during the process into the air, as conventional facilities do, it captures and concentrates it, then traps it in material such as concrete or plastic or-as is the case for the Decatur plant-injects it into rock formations that trap the carbon far below Earth's surface.

A related strategy proposes using ocean plants such as kelp instead of land plants. This would reduce the need to compete with food production and land habitat preservation for land. This option has not been explored as much as land-based BECCS, however, so the number of unknowns is even higher.

On the storage end of things, many of the technologies proposed are still in concept or early development stage. But if developed correctly, the approach has "potentially got quite a significant impact," said professor Pete Smith of the University of Aberdeen.
Creative Commons
Biochar

Another way to enhance plants' ability to store carbon is to partly burn materials such as logging slash or crop waste to make a carbon-rich, slow-to-decompose substance known as biochar, which can then be buried or spread on farmland. Biochar has been used for centuries to enrich soil for farming, but of late has been drawing increased attention for its ability to sequester carbon-as evidenced by the fact that three of 10 finalists in a $25 million Earth Challenge launched by Virgin in 2007 tap this approach.
Oregon Department of Forestry
Fertilizing the Ocean

Plants and plantlike organisms that live in the ocean absorb immeasurable amounts of CO2 each year, their ability to do so limited only by the availability of iron, nitrogen and other nutrients they need to grow and multiply. So researchers are looking at strategies for fertilizing the ocean or bringing nutrients up from the depths to hyperdrive plants' ability to trap and store carbon.

A decade or so ago, companies began forming to do just that, with the plan of reaping rewards from the soon-to-be-established global carbon market. Such plans have largely remained on the drawing board, stymied by substantial uncertainties over how to put a price tag on carbon, concerns over disrupting fisheries and ocean ecosystems more generally, and the high energy requirements and costs that would likely be involved. In addition, we don't have a clear picture of how much of the carbon trapped would actually stay in the ocean rather than reentering the atmosphere.
Creative Commons Rock Solutions
CO2 is naturally removed from the atmosphere every day through reactions between rainwater and rocks. Some climate scientists propose enhancing this process-and so increasing CO2 removal from the atmosphere-through artificial measures such as crushing rocks and exposing them to CO2 in a reaction chamber or spreading them over large areas of land or ocean, increasing the surface area over which the reactions can occur.

As currently imagined, strategies to enhance carbon storage by reacting CO2 with rocks are expensive and energy-intensive due to the need to transport and process large quantities of heavy material. Some also require extensive land use and so have potential to compete with other needs such as food production and biodiversity protection. Researchers are looking at ways to use mine waste and otherwise refine the strategy to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
iStockphoto.com/Dushlik Direct Air Capture and Storage
The carbon-sequestering containers from Arizona State University's Lackner, along with other projects such as Climeworks' just-opened carbon-trapping facility in Switzerland, represent one of the more widely discussed greenhouse gas capture and storage technologies being proposed today. Known as direct air capture and storage, this approach uses chemicals or solids to capture the gas from thin air, then, as in the case of BECCS, stores it for the long haul underground or in long-lasting materials.

Already used in submarines beneath the surface of the ocean and in space vehicles far above it, direct air capture theoretically can remove CO2 from the air a thousand times more efficiently than plants, according to Lackner.

The technology, however, is embryonic. And because it requires plucking CO2 molecules from everything else in the air, it is a huge energy hog. On the flip side, this approach has the big advantage of being deployable anywhere on the planet.
Ari Daniel for PRI's The World
Where to From Here?

If anything is clear from this summary, it's these two things: First, there is a lot of potential to augment efforts to reduce CO2 emissions with strategies to increase the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. Second, there's a lot of work to be done before we're able to do so at a meaningful scale and in a way that not only closes the carbon gap but also protects the environment and meets more immediate human needs.

"Based on current technology, there really is no combination of negative emissions technologies currently available that would be employable at sufficient scale to help meet the below-2 °C target without truly significant impacts," said Peter Frumhoff, director of science and policy and a chief scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists. "We can in principle deploy negative emissions technologies, but we do not have the understanding or the policies to do so on a sufficient scale."

With the need to do something becoming ever more urgent, researchers are starting to take a closer look at the pros, cons and potential of the various opportunities and put together research agendas to advance the most promising in the right places at the right time. In May 2017, a National Academy of Sciences study panel began holding a series of strategy sessions to identify research priorities for moving forward.

"Our job on this committee is to recommend a research agenda to solve a lot of these problems, to bring the cost down, to bring the efficiency of the program up, to overcome the barriers for scale up and implementation and governance and especially verification and monitoring," panel chair Stephen Pacala, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology with Princeton University, said in a video describing the initiative.

That said, it's important to remember that technology may not be the limiting factor in the long run.

"I don't think it's a technical challenge," said Deich. "I think it's a willingness to pay and a willingness to get clear, consistent and fair regulations around these solutions." In other words, getting carbon storage up and running ultimately is about creating markets and/or policies that reward it while also taking into consideration social and environmental dimensions. "It's not necessarily, 'Can these things get to scale?' It's, 'Is there somebody who's willing to pay for them to get to scale?"

The most obvious way to do this would be to affix a price to carbon, which would translate into financial benefit for socking it away.

In the end carbon storage is not cheap, Smith admits-but, he points out, neither is climate change.

The way Lackner puts it is this: We're traveling at high speed down a mountain in a car coming up to a hairpin turn, and it's not so much a question of whether we hit the guard rail as to whether we can slow down enough, so that when we do we bounce off rather than catapult over it into oblivion.

"I cannot guarantee it will work," he said of his CO2-trapping devices. "I'm an optimist, but I likely cannot guarantee it. The fact that it might not work, the possibility that it might not work, is not by itself an excuse not to try. If we don't make it work, I am very certain we will be in for very tough times."
Reposted with permission from our media associate Ensia.

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8 Ways to Sequester Carbon to Avoid Climate Catastrophe

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By Mary Hoff Klaus Lackner has a picture of the future in his mind, and it looks something like this: 100 million semi-trailer-size boxes, each filled with a beige fabric configured into what looks like shag carpet to maximize surface area. Each box draws in air as though it were breathing.

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Pay your entrance fee, drive up a winding road through Sequoia National Park in California, hike half a mile through the woods, and you'll find yourself at the feet of General Sherman, the world's largest tree. With some 52,500 cubic feet (1,487 cubic meters) of wood in its trunk, the behemoth has more than 1,400 metric tons (1,500 tons) of CO2 trapped in its trunk alone.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By Mary Hoff

Klaus Lackner has a picture of the future in his mind, and it looks something like this: 100 million semi-trailer-size boxes, each filled with a beige fabric configured into what looks like shag carpet to maximize surface area. Each box draws in air as though it were breathing. As it does, the fabric absorbs carbon dioxide, which it later releases in concentrated form to be made into concrete or plastic or piped far underground, effectively cancelling its ability to contribute to climate change.

Though the technology is not yet operational, it's "at the verge of moving out of the laboratory, so we can show how it works on a small scale," said Lackner, director of the Center for Negative Carbon Emissions at Arizona State University. Once he has all the kinks worked out, he figured that, combined, the network of boxes could capture perhaps 100 million metric tons (110 million tons) of CO2 per day at a cost of $30 per ton-making a discernible dent in the climate-disrupting overabundance of CO2 that has built up in the air since humans began burning fossil fuels in earnest 150 years ago.

Lackner is one of hundreds, if not thousands, of scientists around the world who are working on ways to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, capturing carbon from the atmosphere using plants, rocks or engineered chemical reactions and storing it in soil, products such as concrete and plastic, rocks, underground reservoirs or the deep blue sea.

Some of the strategies-known collectively as carbon dioxide removal or negative emissions technologies-are just twinkles in their envisioners' eyes. Others-low-tech schemes like planting more forests or leaving crop residues in the field, or more high-tech "negative emissions" setups like the CO2-capturing biomass fuel plant that went online last spring in Decatur, Illinois-are already underway. Their common aim: To help us out of the climate change fix we've gotten ourselves into.

"We can't just decarbonize our economy, or we won't meet our carbon goal," said Noah Deich, co-founder and executive director with the Center for Carbon Removal in Oakland, California. "We have to go beyond to clean up carbon from the atmosphere ... [And] we need to start urgently if we are to have real markets and real solutions available to us that are safe and cost effective by 2030."
Many Approaches
Virtually all climate change experts agree that to avoid catastrophe we must first and foremost put everything we can into reducing CO2 emissions. But an increasing number are saying that's not enough. If we are to limit atmospheric warming to a level below which irreversible changes become inevitable, they argue, we'll need to actively remove CO2 from the air in fairly hefty quantities as well.

"It's almost impossible that we would hit 2°C, and even less so 1.5°C, without some sort of negative emissions technology," said Pete Smith, chair in plant and soil science at the University of Aberdeen and one of the world's leaders in climate change mitigation.

In fact, scientists from around the world who recently drew up a "road map" to a future that gives us good odds of keeping warming below the 2 ºC threshold lean heavily on reducing carbon emissions by completely phasing out fossil fuels-but also require that we actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Their scheme calls for sequestering 0.61 metric gigatons (a gigaton, abbreviated Gt, is a billion metric tons or 0.67 billion tons) of CO2 per year by 2030, 5.51 by 2050, and 17.72 by 2100. Human-generated CO2 emissions were around 40 Gt in 2015, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Reports periodically appear pointing out that one approach or another is not going to cut it: Trees can store carbon, but they compete with agriculture for land, soil can't store enough, machines like the ones Lackner envisions take too much energy, we don't have the engineering figured out for underground storage.

It's likely true that no one solution is the fix, all have pros and cons, and many have bugs to work out before they're ready for prime time. But in the right combination, and with some serious research and development, they could make a big difference. And, as an international team of climate scientists recently pointed out, the sooner the better, because the task of reducing greenhouse gases will only become larger and more daunting the longer we delay.

Smith suggests dividing the many approaches into two categories-relatively low-tech "no regrets" strategies that are ready to go, such as reforestation and improving agricultural practice, and advanced options that need substantial research and development to become viable. Then, he suggests, deploy the former and get working on the latter. He also advocates for minimizing the downsides and maximizing the benefits by carefully matching the right approach with the right location.

"There are probably good ways and bad ways of doing everything," Smith said. "I think we need to find the good ways of doing these things."

Deich, too, supports the simultaneous pursuit of multiple options. "We don't want a technology, we want lots of complementary solutions in a broader portfolio that updates often as new information about the solutions emerges."

With that in mind, here is a quick look at some of the main approaches being considered, including a ballpark projection based on current knowledge of CO2 storage potential distilled from a variety of sources-including preliminary results from a University of Michigan study expected to be released later this year-as well as summaries of advantages, disadvantages, maturity, uncertainties and thoughts about the circumstances under which each might best be applied.
Afforestation and Reforestation
Pay your entrance fee, drive up a winding road through Sequoia National Park in California, hike half a mile through the woods, and you'll find yourself at the feet of General Sherman, the world's largest tree. With some 52,500 cubic feet (1,487 cubic meters) of wood in its trunk, the behemoth has more than 1,400 metric tons (1,500 tons) of CO2 trapped in its trunk alone.

Though its size is clearly exceptional, the General gives an idea of trees' potential to suck CO2 from the air and store it in wood, bark, leaf and root. In fact, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimated that a single hectare (2.5 acres) of forest can take up somewhere between 1.5 and 30 metric tons (1.6 and 33 tons) of CO2 per year, depending on the kinds of trees, how old they are, the climate and so on.

Worldwide forests currently sequester on the order of 2 Gt CO2 per year. Concerted efforts to plant trees in new places (afforest) and replant deforested acreage (reforest) could increase this by a gigaton or more, depending on species, growth patterns, economics, politics and other variables. Forest management practices emphasizing carbon storage and genetic modification of trees and other forest plants to improve their ability to take up and store carbon could push these numbers higher.

Another way to help enhance trees' ability to store carbon is to make long-lasting products from them-wood-frame buildings, books and so on. Using carbon-rich wood for construction, for example, could extend trees' storage capacity beyond forests' borders, with wood storage and afforestation combining for a potential 1.3-14 Gt CO2 per year possible, according to The Climate Institute, an Australia-based research organization.
iStockphoto.com/holgs Carbon Farming
Most farming is intended to produce something that's harvested from the land. Carbon farming is the opposite. It uses plants to trap CO2, then strategically uses practices such as reducing tilling, planting longer-rooted crops and incorporating organic materials into the soil to encourage the trapped carbon to move into-and stay in-the soil.

"Currently, many agricultural, horticultural, forestry and garden soils are a net carbon source. That is, these soils are losing more carbon than they are sequestering," noted Christine Jones, founder of the Australia-based nonprofit Amazing Carbon. "The potential for reversing the net movement of CO2 to the atmosphere through improved plant and soil management is immense. Indeed, managing vegetative cover in ways that enhance the capacity of soil to sequester and store large volumes of atmospheric carbon in a stable form offers a practical and almost immediate solution to some of the most challenging issues currently facing humankind."

Soil's carbon-storing capacity could go even higher if research initiatives by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, a U.S. government agency that provides research support for innovative energy technologies, and others aimed at improving crops' capacity to transfer carbon to the soil are successful. And, points out Eric Toensmeier, author of The Carbon Farming Solution, the capacity of farmland to store carbon can be dramatically increased by including trees in the equation as well.

"Generally it is practices that incorporate trees that have the most carbon [storage]-often two to 10 times more carbon per hectare, which is a pretty big deal," Toensmeier said.
Creative Commons
Other Vegetation

Although forests and farmland have drawn the most attention, other kinds of vegetation-grasslands, coastal vegetation, peatlands-also take up and store CO2, and efforts to enhance their ability to do so could contribute to the carbon storage cause around the world.

Coastal plants, such as mangroves, seagrasses and vegetation inhabiting tidal salt marshes, excel at sequestering CO2 in vegetation-significantly more per area than terrestrial forests, according to Meredith Muth, international program manager with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"These are incredibly carbon-rich ecosystems," said Emily Pidgeon, Conservation International senior director of strategic marine initiatives. That's because the oxygen-poor soil in which they grow inhibits release of CO2 back to the atmosphere, so rather than cycling back into the atmosphere, carbon simply builds up layer by layer over the centuries. With mangroves sequestering roughly 1,400 metric tons (1,500 tons) per hectare (2. 5 acres); salt marshes, 900 metric tons (1,000 tons); and seagrass, 400 metric tons (400 tons), restoring lost coastal vegetation and extending coastal habitats holds potential to sequester substantial carbon. And researchers are eyeing strategies such as reducing pollution and managing sediment disturbance to make these ecosystems absorb even more CO2.

And, Pidgeon added, such vegetation provides a double climate benefit because it also helps protect coastlines from erosion as warming causes sea levels to rise.

"It's the perfect climate change ecosystem, especially in some of the more vulnerable places," she said. "It provides storm protection, erosion control, maintains the local fishery. In terms of climate change, it's immensely valuable, whether talking mitigation or adaptation."
iStockphoto.com/MorganLeeAlain Bioenergy & Bury
In addition to tapping vegetation's capacity to store CO2 in plant parts and soil, humans can enhance sequestration by socking away the carbon plants absorb in other ways. A $208 million power plant that started operation earlier this year in the heart of Illinois farm country is a tangible example of this approach and what is currently widely seen as the most promising technology-based strategy for removing large amounts of carbon from the air: bioenergy carbon capture and storage, or BECCS.

BECCS generally starts with converting biomass into a usable energy source such as liquid fuel or electricity. But then it takes the concept one key step further. Rather than sending the CO2 released during the process into the air, as conventional facilities do, it captures and concentrates it, then traps it in material such as concrete or plastic or-as is the case for the Decatur plant-injects it into rock formations that trap the carbon far below Earth's surface.

A related strategy proposes using ocean plants such as kelp instead of land plants. This would reduce the need to compete with food production and land habitat preservation for land. This option has not been explored as much as land-based BECCS, however, so the number of unknowns is even higher.

On the storage end of things, many of the technologies proposed are still in concept or early development stage. But if developed correctly, the approach has "potentially got quite a significant impact," said professor Pete Smith of the University of Aberdeen.
Creative Commons
Biochar

Another way to enhance plants' ability to store carbon is to partly burn materials such as logging slash or crop waste to make a carbon-rich, slow-to-decompose substance known as biochar, which can then be buried or spread on farmland. Biochar has been used for centuries to enrich soil for farming, but of late has been drawing increased attention for its ability to sequester carbon-as evidenced by the fact that three of 10 finalists in a $25 million Earth Challenge launched by Virgin in 2007 tap this approach.
Oregon Department of Forestry
Fertilizing the Ocean

Plants and plantlike organisms that live in the ocean absorb immeasurable amounts of CO2 each year, their ability to do so limited only by the availability of iron, nitrogen and other nutrients they need to grow and multiply. So researchers are looking at strategies for fertilizing the ocean or bringing nutrients up from the depths to hyperdrive plants' ability to trap and store carbon.

A decade or so ago, companies began forming to do just that, with the plan of reaping rewards from the soon-to-be-established global carbon market. Such plans have largely remained on the drawing board, stymied by substantial uncertainties over how to put a price tag on carbon, concerns over disrupting fisheries and ocean ecosystems more generally, and the high energy requirements and costs that would likely be involved. In addition, we don't have a clear picture of how much of the carbon trapped would actually stay in the ocean rather than reentering the atmosphere.
Creative Commons Rock Solutions
CO2 is naturally removed from the atmosphere every day through reactions between rainwater and rocks. Some climate scientists propose enhancing this process-and so increasing CO2 removal from the atmosphere-through artificial measures such as crushing rocks and exposing them to CO2 in a reaction chamber or spreading them over large areas of land or ocean, increasing the surface area over which the reactions can occur.

As currently imagined, strategies to enhance carbon storage by reacting CO2 with rocks are expensive and energy-intensive due to the need to transport and process large quantities of heavy material. Some also require extensive land use and so have potential to compete with other needs such as food production and biodiversity protection. Researchers are looking at ways to use mine waste and otherwise refine the strategy to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
iStockphoto.com/Dushlik Direct Air Capture and Storage
The carbon-sequestering containers from Arizona State University's Lackner, along with other projects such as Climeworks' just-opened carbon-trapping facility in Switzerland, represent one of the more widely discussed greenhouse gas capture and storage technologies being proposed today. Known as direct air capture and storage, this approach uses chemicals or solids to capture the gas from thin air, then, as in the case of BECCS, stores it for the long haul underground or in long-lasting materials.

Already used in submarines beneath the surface of the ocean and in space vehicles far above it, direct air capture theoretically can remove CO2 from the air a thousand times more efficiently than plants, according to Lackner.

The technology, however, is embryonic. And because it requires plucking CO2 molecules from everything else in the air, it is a huge energy hog. On the flip side, this approach has the big advantage of being deployable anywhere on the planet.
Ari Daniel for PRI's The World
Where to From Here?

If anything is clear from this summary, it's these two things: First, there is a lot of potential to augment efforts to reduce CO2 emissions with strategies to increase the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. Second, there's a lot of work to be done before we're able to do so at a meaningful scale and in a way that not only closes the carbon gap but also protects the environment and meets more immediate human needs.

"Based on current technology, there really is no combination of negative emissions technologies currently available that would be employable at sufficient scale to help meet the below-2 °C target without truly significant impacts," said Peter Frumhoff, director of science and policy and a chief scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists. "We can in principle deploy negative emissions technologies, but we do not have the understanding or the policies to do so on a sufficient scale."

With the need to do something becoming ever more urgent, researchers are starting to take a closer look at the pros, cons and potential of the various opportunities and put together research agendas to advance the most promising in the right places at the right time. In May 2017, a National Academy of Sciences study panel began holding a series of strategy sessions to identify research priorities for moving forward.

"Our job on this committee is to recommend a research agenda to solve a lot of these problems, to bring the cost down, to bring the efficiency of the program up, to overcome the barriers for scale up and implementation and governance and especially verification and monitoring," panel chair Stephen Pacala, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology with Princeton University, said in a video describing the initiative.

That said, it's important to remember that technology may not be the limiting factor in the long run.

"I don't think it's a technical challenge," said Deich. "I think it's a willingness to pay and a willingness to get clear, consistent and fair regulations around these solutions." In other words, getting carbon storage up and running ultimately is about creating markets and/or policies that reward it while also taking into consideration social and environmental dimensions. "It's not necessarily, 'Can these things get to scale?' It's, 'Is there somebody who's willing to pay for them to get to scale?"

The most obvious way to do this would be to affix a price to carbon, which would translate into financial benefit for socking it away.

In the end carbon storage is not cheap, Smith admits-but, he points out, neither is climate change.

The way Lackner puts it is this: We're traveling at high speed down a mountain in a car coming up to a hairpin turn, and it's not so much a question of whether we hit the guard rail as to whether we can slow down enough, so that when we do we bounce off rather than catapult over it into oblivion.

"I cannot guarantee it will work," he said of his CO2-trapping devices. "I'm an optimist, but I likely cannot guarantee it. The fact that it might not work, the possibility that it might not work, is not by itself an excuse not to try. If we don't make it work, I am very certain we will be in for very tough times."
Reposted with permission from our media associate Ensia.

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8 Ways to Sequester Carbon to Avoid Climate Catastrophe

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By Mary Hoff Klaus Lackner has a picture of the future in his mind, and it looks something like this: 100 million semi-trailer-size boxes, each filled with a beige fabric configured into what looks like shag carpet to maximize surface area. Each box draws in air as though it were breathing.

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urban farming is a way to utilize all of the space a city has to create an abundance of food supplies for people in that city.https://www.urbanfarming.org/welcome.html

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The Dearman Engine uses liquid nitrogen or liquid air to produce clean and cold power. The expansion between liquid and gas phases drives the pistons of the engine. The only emission is air or nitrogen, no NOx, CO2 or particulates.

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The Dearman engine - a novel piston engine driven by the expansion of liquid nitrogen or liquid air, to produce clean cold and power.

Liquid nitrogen expands 710 times between liquid and gas phases and this expansion is used to drive the pistons of an engine. Dearman engines operate like high-pressure steam engines, but the low boiling temperature of liquid nitrogen means that low-grade or ambient heat can be used as a heat source, eliminating the need for a traditional fuel.

A unique feature of Dearman engines is the use of heat exchange fluid (warm water). When it mixes with the extremely cold nitrogen, this fluid enables a quasi-isothermal (near constant) expansion and significantly increases the engine's efficiency.

Crucially, the only emission from a Dearman engine is air or nitrogen, with no emissions of NOx, CO2 or particulates.

Dearman engine has a number of benefits compared to other low carbon technologies:

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The Dearman Engine at the heart of everything we do The Dearman engine - a novel piston engine driven by the expansion of liquid nitrogen or liquid air, to produce clean cold and power.

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Solar Roadways Incorporated is an American company based in Sandpoint, Idaho aiming to develop solar powered road panels to form a smart highway. Their goal is to replace roads with solar panels in an attempt to produce green energy. Roads are almost everywhere and it would only make sense to have them produce energy for us humans.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Roadways

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This is a way to get rid of yard trimmings and dead leaves in your yard. You can do this by starting a compost pile in your yard and adding manure, straw, twigs and water to keep it moist. The compost turns into nutrient rich soil.

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Compost is the single most important supplement you can give your lawn or garden.

Compost is a simple way to infuse your garden with nutrients that fuel plant growth and restore vitality to depleted soil. It's also free, easy to make, and good for the environment. But this practice also has other benefits.

Composting benefits

Excellent soil conditioner: By making compost, you are creating rich humus for your lawn and garden. This adds nutrients to your plants and helps retain soil moisture.

Recycles kitchen and yard waste: Composting can divert as much as 30% of household waste away from the garbage can. That's important, because when organic matter hits the landfill, it lacks the air it needs to decompose quickly. Instead, it creates harmful methane gas as it breaks down, increasing the rate of climate change.

Introduces beneficial organisms to the soil: Microscopic organisms in compost help aerate the soil, break down organic materials for plant use, and ward off plant disease.

Good for the environment: Composting offers a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers when applied to lawns and garden beds.

Related: The Easiest Way to Start Composting Now

What to compost

All compostable materials are either carbon or nitrogen-based, to varying degrees. The secret to a healthy compost pile is to maintain a working balance between these two elements.

Carbon

Carbon-rich matter (like branches, stems, dried leaves, peels, bits of wood, sawdust or shredded paper) gives compost its light, fluffy body.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen- or protein-rich matter (manures, food scraps, green lawn clippings, kitchen waste, and green leaves) provides raw materials for making enzymes.

A healthy compost pile should have much more carbon than nitrogen, but since most materials are not pure carbon or nitrogen, a simple rule of thumb is to use one-third green materials and two-thirds brown. The bulkiness of the brown materials allows oxygen to penetrate and nourish the organisms that reside there. Too much nitrogen makes for a dense, smelly, slowly decomposing anaerobic mass. Good hygiene means covering fresh nitrogen-rich material with carbon-rich material, which often exudes a fresh, wonderful smell. If in doubt, add more carbon!

The table below details how the items in your compost are likely to be classified.

Material

Carbon/Nitrogen

Information

A word about yard waste

With yard and garden wastes, different materials will decompose at different rates, but they will all break down eventually. If you want to speed up the process, chop the larger material into smaller pieces. Leaves and grass clippings are also excellent for compost but should be sprinkled into the bin with other materials, or dug in to the center of the pile and mixed. Avoid putting them on in thick layers - they will mat together and reduce aeration.

Adding garden soil to your compost will help to mask any odors, and microorganisms in the soil will accelerate the process.

Autumn leaves

If you have too many leaves to incorporate into the compost bin, you can simply compost the pile of leaves by itself. Locate the pile where drainage is adequate; a shaded area will help keep the pile from drying out.

The leaf pile should be at least 4′ in diameter and 3′ in height. Include a layer of dirt between each foot of leaves. The pile should be damp enough that when a sample taken from the interior is squeezed by hand, a few drops of moisture will appear. The pile should not be packed too tightly.

The pile will compost in 4 - 6 months, with the material being dark and crumbly. Leaf compost is best used as an organic soil amendment and conditioner; it is not normally used as a fertilizer because it is low in nutrients. For more information, read Use Autumn Leaves to Keep Your Compost Working Through the Winter

Leaf-Mould Tea

Use leaves to make a nutritious "tea" for your plants. Simply wrap a small pile of leaves in burlap and immerse in a garbage can or large bucket of water. Leave for three days, then remove the "tea bag" and dump contents into the compost. Scoop out the enriched water with a smaller bucket and use to water your plants and shrubs.
Related: 10 Pro Composting Tips From Expert Gardeners

How to compost step-by-step

1. Start your compost pile on bare earth. This allows worms and other beneficial organisms to aerate the compost and be transported to your garden beds.

2. Lay twigs or straw first, a few inches deep. This aids drainage and helps aerate the pile.

3. Add compost materials in layers, alternating moist and dry. Moist ingredients are food waste, tea bags, seaweed, etc. Dry materials are straw, leaves, sawdust pellets and wood ashes. If you have wood ashes, sprinkle in thin layers, or they will clump together and be slow to break down.

4. Add manure, green manure (clover, buckwheat, wheatgrass, grass clippings) or any nitrogen source. This activates the compost pile and speeds the process along.

5. Keep compost moist. Water occasionally, or let rain do the job.

6. Cover with anything you have - wood, plastic sheeting, carpet scraps. Covering helps retain moisture and heat, two essentials for compost. Covering also prevents the compost from being over-watered by rain. The compost should be moist, but not soaked and sodden.

7. Turn. Every few weeks give the pile a quick turn with a pitchfork or shovel. This aerates the pile. Oxygen is required for the process to work, and turning "adds" oxygen. You can skip this step if you have a ready supply of coarse material like straw. Once you've established your compost pile, add new materials by mixing them in, rather than by adding them in layers. Mixing, or turning, the compost pile is key to aerating the composting materials and speeding the process to completion. If you want to buy a composter, rather than build your own compost pile, you may consider a buying a rotating compost tumbler which makes it easy to mix the compost regularly.

How to choose a composter

Choosing what type of composter will work best for you involves considering three main factors:where you live, what you'll be composting, and whether you want to turn your compost manually or not.

If you're prepared to turn your compost every 1-2 weeks and you live in an area with access to outdoor space and carbon rich materials, enclosed bins or open compost piles could work for you. If you live in an urban environment or your back isn't ready for all that turning, compost tumblers or a worm composter are options worth considering.

Where do you live?

What will you be composting the most?

Composting mostly kitchen scraps Composting kitchen scraps plus some yard waste Composting lots of yard waste

Urban (no outdoor space)
Worm bin
(vermicomposting)

Urban (some outdoor space, patio, or balcony)
Worm bins or
Compost tumbler

Compost tumbler

Suburban (with yard)
Enclosed bin or compost tumbler

Enclosed bin or compost tumbler

Enclosed or DIY bin

Rural (with yard/acreage)
Enclosed bin, or compost tumbler

Open compost pile, enclosed bin, or tumbler

Open compost pile or multiple enclosed bins

Related: How to Choose the Right Composter

Simplest composting methods

"No-turn" composting

The biggest chore with composting is turning the pile from time to time. However, with 'no-turn composting', your compost can be aerated without turning.

The secret is to thoroughly mix in enough coarse material when building the pile. The compost will develop as fast as if it were turned regularly, and studies show that the nitrogen level may be even higher than with turned compost.

With 'no-turn' composting, add new materials to the top of the pile and harvest fresh compost from the bottom of the bin. This can be easily done in an Aerobin Composter, or a Eco King compost bin.

Enclosed compost bins

For small-scale outdoor composting, enclosed bins are the most practical. Enclosed bins include:

DIY compost bin: The least expensive method is to build one yourself from a heavy-duty garbage can. Drill 1.5-cm aeration holes in rows at roughly 15-cm intervals around the can. Fill with a mixture of high-carbon and high-nitrogen materials (see our table above). Stir the contents occasionally to avoid anaerobic pockets and to speed up the composting process. If the lid is secure, lay the can on its side and roll. A length of 2 x 2 cedar can be bolted to the inside, running top to bottom, to help flip the material. Without this, the contents tend to stay in place while the bin is rolled. Another option is to build your own bin from scrap lumber or spare wooden pallets.

Standard compost bins: Another option is a compost bin, sometimes called a 'compost digester'. Compost bins are enclosed on the sides and top, and open on the bottom so they sit directly on the ground. These are common composting units for homes in residential areas where bins tend to be smaller, yet enclosed enough to discourage pests.

Tumblers

: The most efficient enclosed bin method is the compost tumbler. It's possible to maintain relatively high temperatures in drum/tumbler systems, because the container acts as insulation and the turning keeps the microbes aerated and active. Some designs help bring air into the compost and prevent clumping of the composting materials.

To learn more, see compost tumblers: Comparing different compost tumbler models

Tips for successful composting

Activate your compost

'Activators' can be added to your compost to help kick-start decomposition and speed up composting. Common compost activators include: comfrey leaves, grass clippings, young weeds, and well-rotted chicken manure. You can also buy inoculant at your local garden center, though a shovel full of finished compost from another pile works just as well.

Minimize flying insects

Small fruit flies are naturally attracted to the compost pile. Discourage them by covering any exposed fruit or vegetable matter. Keep a small pile of grass clippings next to your compost bin, and when you add new kitchen waste to the pile, cover it with one or two inches of clippings. Adding lime or calcium will also discourage flies.

Minimize odors

First, remember to not put bones or meat scraps into the compost unless your composter can handle these ingredients.Second, cover new additions to the compost pile with dry grass clippings or similar mulch. Adding lime or calcium will also neutralize odors. If the compost smells like ammonia, add carbon-rich elements such as straw, peat moss or dried leaves. See 7 Signs Your Compost is Struggling and What You Can Do About It.

Is your compost pile soggy?

This is a common problem, especially in winter, when carbon-based materials are in short supply. To solve this problem, you'll need to restore your compost to a healthy nitrogen-carbon balance. To learn how restore your compost pile, read our article How to Fix a Soggy Compost Pile.

Matted leaves and grass clippings clumping together?

This is a common problem with materials thrown into the composter. The wet materials stick together and slow the aeration process. There are two simple solutions: either set these materials to the side of the composter and add them gradually with other ingredients, or break them apart with a pitchfork. Grass clippings and leaves should be mixed with rest of the composting materials for best results.

Problems with raccoons?

If there's a population of raccoons in your area, they will be naturally attracted to your compost pile. The best solution to this problem is to bar their entry to the compost. (Traps and poisons are more trouble than they're worth.) A wood or metal lid can be easily hinged to the bin described above on this page, or you can buy a commercially-made compost bin with secure fitted lids which are pest-proof, such as the Aerobin or Jora JK270.

Take advantage of autumn's bounty

The biggest challenge for small-scale backyard composting is finding enough carbon-rich materials to balance the regular input of nitrogen-rich materials from kitchen scraps. Enter autumn leaves! These carbon-rich wonders are perfect for adding to your compost throughout the year. Just rake them up and save in bags placed near the compost for year-round contributions.

What about indoor composting?

Even if you live in an apartment or other urban location, you can still reduce your organic waste and produce your own compost for potted plants, balcony planters, or your plot in the local community garden. There are several different methods for composting indoors which are odor-free and compact enough for even small apartments. For more information about these and other indoor composting methods, read our article: How to Compost in an Apartment

Composting weed seeds?

A liability in composting is the unexpected introduction of new weed seeds to your garden. This is caused by slow or incomplete composting that didn't generate enough heat to kill weed seeds. Weed seeds in compost are a nuisance because once the compost is transferred to your garden beds, the compost acts to fertilize the weeds and make them even more persistent! With home compost bins or piles, the way to eliminate weed seeds is twofold:

1. Make sure your compost is hot enough.
Specifically, the temperature should be 130 - 150 degrees F. It takes about 30 days at 140 degrees to kill weed seeds.

2. Mix your pile.
While your compost may be hot in the center of the mass, the outside of the pile is cooler, giving seeds a chance to survive. Mixing brings cooler material to the warmer area and also increases aeration, which helps attain the higher heat levels. Compost tumblers are very useful for this.

If you are buying bedding for animals, or using mulch or carbon-rich material to bulk up your compost pile, be aware of introducing seeds to your garden via the compost. For example, make sure to get straw, and not hay, since straw is mostly weed-free. Ask the sales staff if there have been any complaints about seeds in these products.
Related: Can You Compost Weeds for the Garden?
Looking for the right composter? Visit our store to view our full line of products!

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How to make organic compost, build your own composter or buy one online. From beginners to experts, we provide the blueprint for successful home composting.

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Most farming is intended to produce something that's harvested from the land. Carbon farming is the opposite. It uses plants to trap CO2, then strategically uses practices such as reducing tilling, planting longer-rooted crops and incorporating organic materials into the soil to encourage the trapped carbon to move into—and stay in—the soil.

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By Mary Hoff

Klaus Lackner has a picture of the future in his mind, and it looks something like this: 100 million semi-trailer-size boxes, each filled with a beige fabric configured into what looks like shag carpet to maximize surface area. Each box draws in air as though it were breathing. As it does, the fabric absorbs carbon dioxide, which it later releases in concentrated form to be made into concrete or plastic or piped far underground, effectively cancelling its ability to contribute to climate change.

Though the technology is not yet operational, it's "at the verge of moving out of the laboratory, so we can show how it works on a small scale," said Lackner, director of the Center for Negative Carbon Emissions at Arizona State University. Once he has all the kinks worked out, he figured that, combined, the network of boxes could capture perhaps 100 million metric tons (110 million tons) of CO2 per day at a cost of $30 per ton-making a discernible dent in the climate-disrupting overabundance of CO2 that has built up in the air since humans began burning fossil fuels in earnest 150 years ago.

Lackner is one of hundreds, if not thousands, of scientists around the world who are working on ways to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, capturing carbon from the atmosphere using plants, rocks or engineered chemical reactions and storing it in soil, products such as concrete and plastic, rocks, underground reservoirs or the deep blue sea.

Some of the strategies-known collectively as carbon dioxide removal or negative emissions technologies-are just twinkles in their envisioners' eyes. Others-low-tech schemes like planting more forests or leaving crop residues in the field, or more high-tech "negative emissions" setups like the CO2-capturing biomass fuel plant that went online last spring in Decatur, Illinois-are already underway. Their common aim: To help us out of the climate change fix we've gotten ourselves into.

"We can't just decarbonize our economy, or we won't meet our carbon goal," said Noah Deich, co-founder and executive director with the Center for Carbon Removal in Oakland, California. "We have to go beyond to clean up carbon from the atmosphere ... [And] we need to start urgently if we are to have real markets and real solutions available to us that are safe and cost effective by 2030."
Many Approaches
Virtually all climate change experts agree that to avoid catastrophe we must first and foremost put everything we can into reducing CO2 emissions. But an increasing number are saying that's not enough. If we are to limit atmospheric warming to a level below which irreversible changes become inevitable, they argue, we'll need to actively remove CO2 from the air in fairly hefty quantities as well.

"It's almost impossible that we would hit 2°C, and even less so 1.5°C, without some sort of negative emissions technology," said Pete Smith, chair in plant and soil science at the University of Aberdeen and one of the world's leaders in climate change mitigation.

In fact, scientists from around the world who recently drew up a "road map" to a future that gives us good odds of keeping warming below the 2 ºC threshold lean heavily on reducing carbon emissions by completely phasing out fossil fuels-but also require that we actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Their scheme calls for sequestering 0.61 metric gigatons (a gigaton, abbreviated Gt, is a billion metric tons or 0.67 billion tons) of CO2 per year by 2030, 5.51 by 2050, and 17.72 by 2100. Human-generated CO2 emissions were around 40 Gt in 2015, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Reports periodically appear pointing out that one approach or another is not going to cut it: Trees can store carbon, but they compete with agriculture for land, soil can't store enough, machines like the ones Lackner envisions take too much energy, we don't have the engineering figured out for underground storage.

It's likely true that no one solution is the fix, all have pros and cons, and many have bugs to work out before they're ready for prime time. But in the right combination, and with some serious research and development, they could make a big difference. And, as an international team of climate scientists recently pointed out, the sooner the better, because the task of reducing greenhouse gases will only become larger and more daunting the longer we delay.

Smith suggests dividing the many approaches into two categories-relatively low-tech "no regrets" strategies that are ready to go, such as reforestation and improving agricultural practice, and advanced options that need substantial research and development to become viable. Then, he suggests, deploy the former and get working on the latter. He also advocates for minimizing the downsides and maximizing the benefits by carefully matching the right approach with the right location.

"There are probably good ways and bad ways of doing everything," Smith said. "I think we need to find the good ways of doing these things."

Deich, too, supports the simultaneous pursuit of multiple options. "We don't want a technology, we want lots of complementary solutions in a broader portfolio that updates often as new information about the solutions emerges."

With that in mind, here is a quick look at some of the main approaches being considered, including a ballpark projection based on current knowledge of CO2 storage potential distilled from a variety of sources-including preliminary results from a University of Michigan study expected to be released later this year-as well as summaries of advantages, disadvantages, maturity, uncertainties and thoughts about the circumstances under which each might best be applied.
Afforestation and Reforestation
Pay your entrance fee, drive up a winding road through Sequoia National Park in California, hike half a mile through the woods, and you'll find yourself at the feet of General Sherman, the world's largest tree. With some 52,500 cubic feet (1,487 cubic meters) of wood in its trunk, the behemoth has more than 1,400 metric tons (1,500 tons) of CO2 trapped in its trunk alone.

Though its size is clearly exceptional, the General gives an idea of trees' potential to suck CO2 from the air and store it in wood, bark, leaf and root. In fact, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimated that a single hectare (2.5 acres) of forest can take up somewhere between 1.5 and 30 metric tons (1.6 and 33 tons) of CO2 per year, depending on the kinds of trees, how old they are, the climate and so on.

Worldwide forests currently sequester on the order of 2 Gt CO2 per year. Concerted efforts to plant trees in new places (afforest) and replant deforested acreage (reforest) could increase this by a gigaton or more, depending on species, growth patterns, economics, politics and other variables. Forest management practices emphasizing carbon storage and genetic modification of trees and other forest plants to improve their ability to take up and store carbon could push these numbers higher.

Another way to help enhance trees' ability to store carbon is to make long-lasting products from them-wood-frame buildings, books and so on. Using carbon-rich wood for construction, for example, could extend trees' storage capacity beyond forests' borders, with wood storage and afforestation combining for a potential 1.3-14 Gt CO2 per year possible, according to The Climate Institute, an Australia-based research organization.
iStockphoto.com/holgs Carbon Farming
Most farming is intended to produce something that's harvested from the land. Carbon farming is the opposite. It uses plants to trap CO2, then strategically uses practices such as reducing tilling, planting longer-rooted crops and incorporating organic materials into the soil to encourage the trapped carbon to move into-and stay in-the soil.

"Currently, many agricultural, horticultural, forestry and garden soils are a net carbon source. That is, these soils are losing more carbon than they are sequestering," noted Christine Jones, founder of the Australia-based nonprofit Amazing Carbon. "The potential for reversing the net movement of CO2 to the atmosphere through improved plant and soil management is immense. Indeed, managing vegetative cover in ways that enhance the capacity of soil to sequester and store large volumes of atmospheric carbon in a stable form offers a practical and almost immediate solution to some of the most challenging issues currently facing humankind."

Soil's carbon-storing capacity could go even higher if research initiatives by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, a U.S. government agency that provides research support for innovative energy technologies, and others aimed at improving crops' capacity to transfer carbon to the soil are successful. And, points out Eric Toensmeier, author of The Carbon Farming Solution, the capacity of farmland to store carbon can be dramatically increased by including trees in the equation as well.

"Generally it is practices that incorporate trees that have the most carbon [storage]-often two to 10 times more carbon per hectare, which is a pretty big deal," Toensmeier said.
Creative Commons
Other Vegetation

Although forests and farmland have drawn the most attention, other kinds of vegetation-grasslands, coastal vegetation, peatlands-also take up and store CO2, and efforts to enhance their ability to do so could contribute to the carbon storage cause around the world.

Coastal plants, such as mangroves, seagrasses and vegetation inhabiting tidal salt marshes, excel at sequestering CO2 in vegetation-significantly more per area than terrestrial forests, according to Meredith Muth, international program manager with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"These are incredibly carbon-rich ecosystems," said Emily Pidgeon, Conservation International senior director of strategic marine initiatives. That's because the oxygen-poor soil in which they grow inhibits release of CO2 back to the atmosphere, so rather than cycling back into the atmosphere, carbon simply builds up layer by layer over the centuries. With mangroves sequestering roughly 1,400 metric tons (1,500 tons) per hectare (2. 5 acres); salt marshes, 900 metric tons (1,000 tons); and seagrass, 400 metric tons (400 tons), restoring lost coastal vegetation and extending coastal habitats holds potential to sequester substantial carbon. And researchers are eyeing strategies such as reducing pollution and managing sediment disturbance to make these ecosystems absorb even more CO2.

And, Pidgeon added, such vegetation provides a double climate benefit because it also helps protect coastlines from erosion as warming causes sea levels to rise.

"It's the perfect climate change ecosystem, especially in some of the more vulnerable places," she said. "It provides storm protection, erosion control, maintains the local fishery. In terms of climate change, it's immensely valuable, whether talking mitigation or adaptation."
iStockphoto.com/MorganLeeAlain Bioenergy & Bury
In addition to tapping vegetation's capacity to store CO2 in plant parts and soil, humans can enhance sequestration by socking away the carbon plants absorb in other ways. A $208 million power plant that started operation earlier this year in the heart of Illinois farm country is a tangible example of this approach and what is currently widely seen as the most promising technology-based strategy for removing large amounts of carbon from the air: bioenergy carbon capture and storage, or BECCS.

BECCS generally starts with converting biomass into a usable energy source such as liquid fuel or electricity. But then it takes the concept one key step further. Rather than sending the CO2 released during the process into the air, as conventional facilities do, it captures and concentrates it, then traps it in material such as concrete or plastic or-as is the case for the Decatur plant-injects it into rock formations that trap the carbon far below Earth's surface.

A related strategy proposes using ocean plants such as kelp instead of land plants. This would reduce the need to compete with food production and land habitat preservation for land. This option has not been explored as much as land-based BECCS, however, so the number of unknowns is even higher.

On the storage end of things, many of the technologies proposed are still in concept or early development stage. But if developed correctly, the approach has "potentially got quite a significant impact," said professor Pete Smith of the University of Aberdeen.
Creative Commons
Biochar

Another way to enhance plants' ability to store carbon is to partly burn materials such as logging slash or crop waste to make a carbon-rich, slow-to-decompose substance known as biochar, which can then be buried or spread on farmland. Biochar has been used for centuries to enrich soil for farming, but of late has been drawing increased attention for its ability to sequester carbon-as evidenced by the fact that three of 10 finalists in a $25 million Earth Challenge launched by Virgin in 2007 tap this approach.
Oregon Department of Forestry
Fertilizing the Ocean

Plants and plantlike organisms that live in the ocean absorb immeasurable amounts of CO2 each year, their ability to do so limited only by the availability of iron, nitrogen and other nutrients they need to grow and multiply. So researchers are looking at strategies for fertilizing the ocean or bringing nutrients up from the depths to hyperdrive plants' ability to trap and store carbon.

A decade or so ago, companies began forming to do just that, with the plan of reaping rewards from the soon-to-be-established global carbon market. Such plans have largely remained on the drawing board, stymied by substantial uncertainties over how to put a price tag on carbon, concerns over disrupting fisheries and ocean ecosystems more generally, and the high energy requirements and costs that would likely be involved. In addition, we don't have a clear picture of how much of the carbon trapped would actually stay in the ocean rather than reentering the atmosphere.
Creative Commons Rock Solutions
CO2 is naturally removed from the atmosphere every day through reactions between rainwater and rocks. Some climate scientists propose enhancing this process-and so increasing CO2 removal from the atmosphere-through artificial measures such as crushing rocks and exposing them to CO2 in a reaction chamber or spreading them over large areas of land or ocean, increasing the surface area over which the reactions can occur.

As currently imagined, strategies to enhance carbon storage by reacting CO2 with rocks are expensive and energy-intensive due to the need to transport and process large quantities of heavy material. Some also require extensive land use and so have potential to compete with other needs such as food production and biodiversity protection. Researchers are looking at ways to use mine waste and otherwise refine the strategy to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
iStockphoto.com/Dushlik Direct Air Capture and Storage
The carbon-sequestering containers from Arizona State University's Lackner, along with other projects such as Climeworks' just-opened carbon-trapping facility in Switzerland, represent one of the more widely discussed greenhouse gas capture and storage technologies being proposed today. Known as direct air capture and storage, this approach uses chemicals or solids to capture the gas from thin air, then, as in the case of BECCS, stores it for the long haul underground or in long-lasting materials.

Already used in submarines beneath the surface of the ocean and in space vehicles far above it, direct air capture theoretically can remove CO2 from the air a thousand times more efficiently than plants, according to Lackner.

The technology, however, is embryonic. And because it requires plucking CO2 molecules from everything else in the air, it is a huge energy hog. On the flip side, this approach has the big advantage of being deployable anywhere on the planet.
Ari Daniel for PRI's The World
Where to From Here?

If anything is clear from this summary, it's these two things: First, there is a lot of potential to augment efforts to reduce CO2 emissions with strategies to increase the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. Second, there's a lot of work to be done before we're able to do so at a meaningful scale and in a way that not only closes the carbon gap but also protects the environment and meets more immediate human needs.

"Based on current technology, there really is no combination of negative emissions technologies currently available that would be employable at sufficient scale to help meet the below-2 °C target without truly significant impacts," said Peter Frumhoff, director of science and policy and a chief scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists. "We can in principle deploy negative emissions technologies, but we do not have the understanding or the policies to do so on a sufficient scale."

With the need to do something becoming ever more urgent, researchers are starting to take a closer look at the pros, cons and potential of the various opportunities and put together research agendas to advance the most promising in the right places at the right time. In May 2017, a National Academy of Sciences study panel began holding a series of strategy sessions to identify research priorities for moving forward.

"Our job on this committee is to recommend a research agenda to solve a lot of these problems, to bring the cost down, to bring the efficiency of the program up, to overcome the barriers for scale up and implementation and governance and especially verification and monitoring," panel chair Stephen Pacala, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology with Princeton University, said in a video describing the initiative.

That said, it's important to remember that technology may not be the limiting factor in the long run.

"I don't think it's a technical challenge," said Deich. "I think it's a willingness to pay and a willingness to get clear, consistent and fair regulations around these solutions." In other words, getting carbon storage up and running ultimately is about creating markets and/or policies that reward it while also taking into consideration social and environmental dimensions. "It's not necessarily, 'Can these things get to scale?' It's, 'Is there somebody who's willing to pay for them to get to scale?"

The most obvious way to do this would be to affix a price to carbon, which would translate into financial benefit for socking it away.

In the end carbon storage is not cheap, Smith admits-but, he points out, neither is climate change.

The way Lackner puts it is this: We're traveling at high speed down a mountain in a car coming up to a hairpin turn, and it's not so much a question of whether we hit the guard rail as to whether we can slow down enough, so that when we do we bounce off rather than catapult over it into oblivion.

"I cannot guarantee it will work," he said of his CO2-trapping devices. "I'm an optimist, but I likely cannot guarantee it. The fact that it might not work, the possibility that it might not work, is not by itself an excuse not to try. If we don't make it work, I am very certain we will be in for very tough times."
Reposted with permission from our media associate Ensia.

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8 Ways to Sequester Carbon to Avoid Climate Catastrophe

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By Mary Hoff Klaus Lackner has a picture of the future in his mind, and it looks something like this: 100 million semi-trailer-size boxes, each filled with a beige fabric configured into what looks like shag carpet to maximize surface area. Each box draws in air as though it were breathing.

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Abita Springs, is one of the many cities who are committed to reverting the city into a powerhouse of renewable energy. In fact, this city is so invested that it had proclaimed to commit to a energy source which is 100% renewable to the entire city by 2030. This is a community-wide transition, and they plan to focus on renewable energy from the sun, through solar panels.

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Renewable Energy in Abita Springs

Abita Springs is Ready For 100

​

Cleaner, cheaper, healthier energy is here. It's time for leaders across the U.S. to commit to 100% clean and renewable energy for all, and that's exactly what Abita Springs has done! Abita Springs made that commitment in March 2017, when the Mayor and Town Council adopted a Resolution to give Abita Springs residents and businesses electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Continue Reading

Abita Committee for Energy Sustainability (ACES)

LeAnn Pinniger Magee, Chair (985) 205-2261

Barbara Jackson, Secretary-Treasurer (512) 699-0218

Margie Vicknair-Pray, Ready for 100 Liaison (985) 373-7097

Greg Lemons, Mayor, Town of Abita Springs

Task Force Members

Adrienne Juttner

Aly Mousaad Aly, Ph.D

Andrew Pool

Dave Stets

Deldon McNeely, Ph.D.

Elizabeth Cox

Evette Randolph

Justine Rydzeski, Ph.D , MBA

Keren Peymani

Leanne Schaefer

Maurice Dupre, Ph.D.

Niki Mendow

Suzanne Cohen

Clean Energy Day: Geaux Solar!

March 3, 2018

Abita Springs is Ready For 100

Cleaner, cheaper, healthier energy is here. It's time for leaders across the U.S. to commit to 100% clean and renewable energy for all, and that's exactly what Abita Springs has done! In March 2017, the Mayor and Town Council adopted a Resolution to provide Abita Springs with electricity from renewable sources by 2030. We are the first community in Louisiana to sign up with the Sierra Club's Ready For 100 Campaign.

Mayor Greg Lemons says renewable energy - and solar energy in particular - just makes sense in Louisiana from both an economic and an environmental standpoint. We have lots of sun in Louisiana to put to good use in reducing our energy costs!

In recognizing the importance of renewable energy in our Town's future, Mayor Greg Lemons and our Town's Board of Aldermen envision a leadership role for Abita Springs in St. Tammany Parish. Hopefully, more communities will follow our lead.​

Abita Springs Mayor Greg Lemons

In July, the U.S. Conference of Mayors voted to approve a historic resolution. The Mayors pledged their support for moving to 100% clean and renewable energy in cities and towns across our nation. Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said , "There is more work to be done to realize this vision for our nation, but this vote represents an important first step towards cleaner air and water for our families, more good-paying jobs in clean energy, and stronger cities across the country."

Poll after poll shows that most Americans support clean energy. Eighty-three percent of respondents to a national online survey in 2015 supported a goal of 100% clean and renewable energy for the United States. We now need to mobilize that public support starting with our local communities! Thanks , Abita Springs for being in the forefront!

This moment in history-our moment-is a critical turning point. We must accelerate the transition from non-renewable fuels to energy sources like solar and wind. The fossil fuel industry recognizes that we must start transitioning to sustainable energy. Shell's CEO recently announced that his next personal vehicle will be electric. Several major oil operators have announced investments in research and in the development of sustainable energies. Total, the mega-oil and gas corporation, has invested heavily in solar development. Shell, Statoil and others are expanding their holdings into wind farms and solar.

The voices of people across the country are declaring that we are ReadyFor100! In Abita Springs, Louisiana, we've started!

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townofabitasprings | Renewable Energy in Abita

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Renewable Energy in Abita Springs Abita Springs is Ready For 100 ​ Cleaner, cheaper, healthier energy is here. It's time for leaders across the U.S. to commit to 100% clean and renewable energy for all, and that's exactly what Abita Springs has done!

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Crop rotation is an efficient way of keeping the soil healthy and full of nutrients.

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Crop rotation is the practice of planting different crops sequentially on the same plot of land to improve soil health, optimize nutrients in the soil, and combat pest and weed pressure.

For example, say a farmer has planted a field of corn. When the corn harvest is finished, he might plant beans, since corn consumes a lot of nitrogen and beans return nitrogen to the soil.

A simple rotation might involve two or three crops, and complex rotations might incorporate a dozen or more.

Why does it matter?

Different plants have different nutritional needs and are susceptible to different pathogens and pests.

If a farmer plants the exact same crop in the same place every year, as is common in conventional farming, she continually draws the same nutrients out of the soil. Pests and diseases happily make themselves a permanent home as their preferred food source is guaranteed. With monocultures like these, increasing levels of chemical fertilizers and pesticides become necessary to keep yields high while keeping bugs and disease at bay.

Crop rotation helps return nutrients to the soil without synthetic inputs.

The practice also works to interrupt pest and disease cycles, improve soil health by increasing biomass from different crops' root structures, and increase biodiversity on the farm. Life in the soil thrives on variety, and beneficial insects and pollinators are attracted to the variety above ground, too.

Want help planning your crop rotation?

Reach out to our Organic Crop Consultants! With hubs across the U.S., we're here to help you build healthy soil, grow nutrient-dense food, and manage a profitable organic operation.

Learn More

Keep exploring

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Crop rotation is the practice of planting different crops sequentially on the same plot of land to improve soil health, optimize nutrients in the soil, and combat pest and weed pressure. For example, say a farmer has planted a field of corn.

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When you buy a electric car it comes with a electric charger that you keep at home. Electric cars have a range of about 50-100 miles for the cheaper ones and if you don't have a Tesla your most likely going to be charging your car at home. https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/electric-cars-with-the-longest-range

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Bee condos are simple structures made by people for their backyards with hollowed out wood. They protect native pollinators.

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Have you thanked a pollinator today? Globally, about 1,000 plants we depend on for food and products need to be pollinated by animals, including coffee, tasty snacks like melon, chocolate and almonds, and even tequila. Hummingbirds, bats, beetles, bees, ants, wasps, butterflies, and other small animals help plants reproduce by transporting pollen within a flower or between flowers, resulting in healthy fruits and fertile seeds. This week, from June 18-24, is National Pollinator Week!

About 75% of all plants, including those in our yards, gardens, and parks, depend on pollinators. Home gardens in urban, suburban, and rural areas play an important role in providing habitat for pollinators and protecting them from threats. During National Pollinator Week, June 18-24, 2018, use these tips to create a pollinator-friendly habitat.

Plant a variety of plants that bloom from early spring to late fall. Planting in clumps will help pollinators find plants. Choose plants that are native to your region (enter your zip code here to find regional planting guides), meaning that they are adapted to local climate, soil, and pollinator species. Including plants that bloom at night will attract bats and moths.

Reduce or eliminate pesticide use. If you must use a pesticide in your yard or garden, use the least toxic product possible. Pesticides can be particularly harmful to bees, so read the product label carefully and apply it at night, when bees and many other pollinators are not active.

Create bee habitat. Leaving a dead tree or tree limb in your yard provides nesting habitat for bees (make sure dead trees/limbs are not safety hazards for people working below them). You can also create a "bee condo" by drilling holes of various sizes about three to five inches deep in a piece of scrap lumber. Mount the lumber to a post or under eaves with southern exposure.

Provide nectar for hummingbirds. Make nectar by combining four parts water to one part table sugar (do not use honey, artificial sweeteners, or fruit juices). Add something red to the feeder to attract hummingbirds, and be sure to clean the feeder with hot, soapy water twice a week.

Learn more about pollinators. Visit The Pollinator Partnership website to learn more about National Pollinator Week, get fast facts about pollinators, access garden guides, and more.

The Pollinator Partnership. 2016. "National Pollinator Week." Accessed June 20. www.pollinator.org/pollinatorweek/

The Pollinator Partnership. 2016. "Pollination Fast Facts for Gardeners." Accessed June 20. http://www.pollinator.org/PDFs/NPW/2016/Pollination_Facts_Gardeners.pdf

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Have you thanked a pollinator today? Globally, about 1,000 plants we depend on for food and products need to be pollinated by animals, including coffee, melon, chocolate, and even tequila. Celebrate and protect these important pollinators during National Pollinator Week!

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'Huge potential to provide an efficient, economical, safe, environmentally friendly, comfortable, and maneuverable conveyance that is independent of the general traffic flows on arterial roads.'
https://www.designboom.com/technology/dahir-insaat-gyroscopic-transportation-08-24-2017/

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The Process to go from Planning to Living in a Sustainable Home

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The Process to go from Planning to Living in a Sustainable Home

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1. Use sustainable building materials like materials that are locally sourced or environmentally consciously harvested.
2. Emphasize water and energy efficiency in the home by installing energy smart appliances and using recycled water or collecting rainwater.
3. Focus on IAQ or indoor air quality by eliminating toxic or potentially hazardous materials.
https://www.fix.com/blog/building-a-green-home/ Caroline Wills

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Sustainable Building designs for homes by Connor

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Sustainable Building designs for homes by Connor

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There is many different things you can do while building a home or at home in order to make living more sustainable. Such as focusing on using less energy daily, recycling, installing solar panels/ depending more on the sun and windows for heat. Even having plants indoors can help filter out toxins.

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The rise in popularity of green building means that some notable trends are emerging - and for good reason. Homeowners, builders and designers who choose sustainable building experience some amazing benefits that no other type of building could ever compare with. The U.S. Green Building Council, a major supporter of sustainable home design, advocates that sustainable homes are energy-efficient, good for the environment, healthy and clean, and often totally stunning  - and the top sustainable design trends definitely reflect it! From tiny homes to giant statement windows; from recycled materials to living walls, the green building movement reflected in our top 10 sustainable home design trends is nothing short of extraordinary.

SUSTAINABLE HOME DESIGN TRENDS

1: PREFABS

A prefab, or prefabricated home, is built off-site and then shipped to a building site in parts to be assembled on the home lot. The term "prefab home" is simply a generic term used to describe any type of home built in a factory. Prefab homes are affordable and come with plenty of benefits, so it's no surprise that prefab popularity is on the rise.

SOME BENEFITS OF PREFAB HOMES:

1. Less waste - Prebuilt home builders are efficient in their production and can more accurately gauge how much material is required, resulting in less waste. Materials are also less likely to get stolen, vandalized, or damaged, since they're stored in a factory instead of on-site.

2. Durability - The extra materials needed to reinforce the house frame for shipment make the home more durable. Prebuilt homes are also precision engineered, which contributes to their greater durability.

3. Short construction time - Prefabs can be made in the factory at the same time as deconstruction and site preparation, and since building takes place indoors, weather delays are not an issue. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that prefabs are finished in an average of 5 months, sometimes as little as 60 days!

4. Best for remote locations - Built in one central location then delivered, prefabs alleviate the difficulty in finding contractors willing to travel a long distance to build a home. Plus, a single delivery of the pre-built home means less material transportation costs than a traditional build.

FEATURED
MANUFACTURERS:

2: CARGOTECTURE

Another sustainable design trend that's on the rise: Building homes using recycled shipping containers, or "Cargotecture" -  a term coined in 2003 to describe a building built partially or entirely from recycled shipping containers. The containers provide some excellent benefits; among these benefits are incredible structural strength and durability, utilizing valuable materials that would otherwise be trashed, and saving time and money. Cate Leger, principal of Leger Wanaselja Architects, a firm highly focused on materials reuse, says that shipping containers are an example of the huge amount of "high-quality waste in our society." Homes built from containers are durable, secure, overtly sustainable, and in some cases relocatable structures.

Shipping containers made of aluminum or steel are inexpensive, and stronger than average, building blocks - like giant, super-strength Legos. Due to their durability and resistance to natural forces, containers are naturally suited for post-disaster housing and community centers. But the design versatility and sustainable nature of containers have captured the imagination of architects, designers, and homeowners worldwide. From rustic off-the-grid cabins to striking high-rises and apartment buildings, there are enough cool container structures around to constitute a whole movement.

3: TINY HOMES

Tiny homes, or homes with an average size of 186 square feet, come with a massive amount of benefits - including their extremely earth-friendly, low-cost, and efficient nature. For example, the average home's energy use results in the release of over 16,000lbs of CO2 pollution annually, while a tiny home (average size: 186 square feet) releases only 1,114lbs of CO2.

TINY HOUSE BENEFITS:

1. Mobility. One of the biggest benefits of having a tiny home is that you can just hitch it to a truck and drive it to a new location. Whether you're moving to a new piece of land or just vacationing, tiny home living means you can easily take your home with you.

2. Affordability. Building a tiny home costs a fraction of the price of building a traditional home - And you can have everything custom-designed for you! Prices for tiny homes can range from below $19,000 to around $50,000, and the possibilities are endless.

3. Low-to-no monthly costs. No matter your style of tiny home and how "off-the-grid" your home is set up to be (i.e. solar panels, rainwater collection, etc), your monthly bills will be a fraction of what you're used to paying in a traditional home. Heating, cooling, and powering a <200 sq. ft. home requires almost no energy.

4. Energy efficiency. Even if you opt against solar power (the most efficient option) and hook up your house to a power line, the energy needs of such a small space are minuscule compared to the needs of the average home. In addition, tiny homes usually mean smaller and more efficient appliances.

5. Less time (and money) spent on cleaning. Such a small space requires almost no cleaning and maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape. With the time and supplies you need to clean your kitchen now, you could clean your entire tiny home!
Read more about the benefits of tiny house living.
4: GREEN CERTIFIED HOMES

The rising interest in green building has been accompanied by a growing interest in green certification. As a result, many organizations have designed highly esteemed green building standards and certifications. Some of the most extensive and widely-known green building certifications include:

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is changing the way we think about how buildings and communities are planned, constructed, maintained, and operated. Leaders around the world have made LEED the most widely used third-party verification for green buildings, with around 1.85 million square feet being certified daily.

LEED works for all buildings - from homes to corporate headquarters - at all phases of development. Projects pursuing LEED certification earn points across several areas that address sustainability issues. Based on the number of points achieved, a project then receives one of four LEED rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. LEED-certified buildings are resource efficient. They use less water and energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As an added bonus, they save money. Visit the U.S. Green Building Council to learn more about why LEED continues to be the leading benchmark in green building.

The WELL Building Standard® is an evidence-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring the performance of building features that impact health and well-being. WELL is administered by the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI), a public benefit corporation whose mission is to improve human health and well-being through the built environment. WELL is third-party certified by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI).

The Living Building Challenge™ is a building certification program, advocacy tool, and philosophy that defines the most advanced measure of sustainability in the built environment possible today and acts to rapidly diminish the gap between current limits and the end-game positive solutions we seek.

The Challenge is comprised of seven performance categories called Petals: Place, Water, Energy, Health & Happiness, Materials, Equity and Beauty. Petals are subdivided into a total of twenty Imperatives, each of which focuses on a specific sphere of influence. This compilation of Imperatives can be applied to almost every conceivable building project, of any scale and any location - be it a new building or an existing structure. Download the Living Building Challenge 3.0 Standard document below.

For more information,

Passivhaus or 'Passive House' is the fastest growing energy performance standard in the world with 30,000 buildings realised to date - and the majority of them have been built since the turn of the century. The Passivhaus standard's strengths lie in the simplicity of its approach; build a house that has an excellent thermal performance, exceptional airtightness with mechanical ventilation.

This robust approach to building design allows the designer to minimize the 'Heating Demand' of the building and in some residential buildings, only specify a heated towel rail as means of conventional heating. This heat can then be recovered and circulated by a Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit.

5: SMART HOMES

The American Institute of Architects estimates that the future of eco-friendly building will bring even more green technological integration, including "dedicated support for personal devices, along with automated controls for temperature, security, and lighting." In fact, a variety of smart home technology products are already on the rise - and NuBryte is an excellent example.

NUBRYTE SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY

ADD CONVENIENCE & COMFORT TO YOUR HOME

NuBryte is a complete smart home solution, in one single platform - No need to purchase and install dozens of different, single-function gadgets that may or may not all work together. With NuBryte, you get instant access to must-have smart home features like:

Home Security with built-in camera and motion detector

Smart Lighting with 5 advanced lighting modes

Wi-Fi Intercom System

Integrated Family Calendar

Energy Monitoring with built-in reports

Weather Alerts & Reports

EASY, DIY-FRIENDLY INSTALLATION

Everyone has light switches in their home. So why not create a cool, touchscreen device to replace your existing light switches, and add extra functionality at the same time? With NuBryte, you can easily upgrade your home's light switches to quickly add home automation features to your life. As long as you can change a light fixture in your home, NuBryte can be an easy, DIY weekend installation.

TRENDING SUSTAINABLE HOME DESIGN MATERIALS

6: NON-TOXIC MATERIALS

The typical American home is built with materials laden with toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde (found in particle board, plywood, and pressed wood products) and solvents that release harmful VOCs (found in paints, stains, preservatives, and adhesives). Building and remodeling with non-toxic materials means reducing or eliminating these hazards, making the building as healthy as possible. VOC-free paints, non-toxic woods, and natural carpeting and insulation are great examples of alternative materials for a healthy home.

FEATURED NON-TOXIC PRODUCTS:

7: EFFICIENCY-GEARED PRODUCTS

In the sustainable design industry, we've seen an increased use of energy-efficient and water-efficient design elements and products - like solar panels, water reclamation systems, and tankless water heaters. The best part about efficiency-geared products: the two-part benefits. Not only do efficient products greatly reduce monthly bills, but the lower energy or water use translates into a lower negative impact on the environment - so homeowners can save money and feel great about doing it. If you're ready to get extra efficient, look for the EPA's EnergyStar and WaterWise logos.

Goal Zero manufactures solar-powered products for any place, any space, and any occasion. Charge or power almost anything from sun, including phones, laptops, lights, and even refrigerators!

Goal Zero offers a variety of solar-powered products for every time and place. Whether you're seeking a solar-powered generator or an on-the-go energy solution, Goal Zero has a wide range of products for you to choose from.

8: RECLAIMED & RECYCLED

The most notable perk of using recycled building materials: Giving a second life to materials that would otherwise be sent to a landfill. But just because a product is being reused doesn't necessarily mean the quality will suffer. For example, recycled composite decking uses recycled plastic to create a beautiful and durable deck that's totally maintenance-free. Recycled tiling and mosaic, doors, insulation, roof and wall materials, and even recycled steel beams all go to show that nearly every conventional building material has a recycled alternative.

ECO by Cosentino® - where eco-friendly meets absolutely stunning. ECO is an original product manufactured from 75% of recycled materials such as mirror, glass, porcelain, earthenware and vitrified ash. A huge variety of colors and styles means that any homeowner or designer will find the perfect recycled countertop for their home with ECO by Cosentino.

ECO recycled countertops are GREENGUARD certified and qualify for LEED credits.

9: STATEMENT GLASS

No home decor statement can quite compare with architectural elements that allow your indoor and outdoor spaces to blend together. Large decorative windows, giant single-panes, sliding glass windows and doors - all of these glass elements help to almost entirely dissolve the separation between inside and outside. Benefits of large glass include increased natural lighting, a larger feel to the space and a more tangible connection to nature - even lounging in the dry, temperature-controlled indoors.

Particularly with large windows, it's important to choose energy-efficiency so that the window isn't a perfect place for warmth to escape. LEED-certified windows and Passive house windows are great options for statement glass doors and windows that won't reduce your home's energy efficiency.

10: LIVING WALLS AND ROOFS

Plants filter toxins out of the air and are shown to improve air quality. In fact, the U.S. National Library of Medicine estimates that new plants in the home can filter toxins and purify indoor air overnight. But it's not just gardens and house plants anymore - Living greens are showing up in sustainable building design in some really fantastic and surprising ways:

GREEN ROOFS

One of the most notable trending uses of plants in green homes is a green living roof. This roof, made from a water-retaining layer and living vegetation including grasses, flowers, and shrubs, is highly energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and beautiful. Check out 7 of the most popular green roofs, or learn how to DIY a green roof yourself!

LIVING WALLS

A living wall, or green wall system, provides a healthy growing environment for plants on virtually any interior wall surface. More and more homeowners and builders are choosing living walls for houses because they purify the air, reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), humidify the air, and promote a healthier, happier family. People surrounded by green wall plants experience improved mental and physical health, feel more content and relaxed, and are more creative. Living wall manufacturers like LiveWall (pictured) make the installation process easy and provide a huge variety of options for every style and every space.

THE GROWTH OF SUSTAINABLE HOME DESIGN TRENDS

These top 10 sustainable home design trends illuminate a sustainable building movement that's growing and getting greater and greener every day. And it's no surprise - the rewards for building green are plentiful and extend beyond the walls of your home to the planet's environment, which is made better because of it.
Read more about sustainable home design:

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The Top 10 Sustainable Home Design Trends

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The rise in popularity of green building means that some notable trends are emerging - and for good reason. Homeowners, builders and designers who choose sustainable building experience some amazing benefits that no other type of building could ever compare with. The U.S.

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Reduce and Eliminate Pesticides/Fertilizers (Home) Matthew Hartono

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Reduce and Eliminate Pesticides/Fertilizers (Home) Matthew Hartono

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Using organic compost and soil additives for native plants. Also, not buying plants from nurseries that use systemic pesticides.
https://theunfoldingearth.com/10-things-you-can-do-to-protect-biodiversity/

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In Nanjing, China, they are building towers that are made from green architecture to 25 TONS of carbon dioxide in the city and produce 60,000 grams of clean oxygen each day

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Asia's first Vertical forest, called the Nanjing Vertical Forest, will be built in the South of China' Jiangsu province. The vertical forest is expected to produce 60 kg of oxygen every day which will reduce the air pollution which plagues China. [Image Source: Stefano Boeri Architetti] Global Air Pollution Air pollution is currently a major [...]

Asia's first Vertical forest, called the Nanjing Vertical Forest, will be built in the South of China' Jiangsu province. The vertical forest is expected to produce 60 kg of oxygen every day which will reduce the air pollution which plagues China.

[Image Source: Stefano Boeri Architetti]

Global Air Pollution

Air pollution is currently a major global issue for countries all over the world. Countries are trying to find solutions in order to fix this problem. According to WHO data, outdoor air pollution has risen by 8 percent since 2011.

"We have a public health emergency in many countries. Urban air pollution continues to rise at an alarming rate, wreaking havoc on human health," said Dr. Maria Neira, Director of Public Health at the WHO in Geneva.

People are moving out of the country and into cities which is causing megacity air pollution. This in turn is a danger to both the public and the environment.

"It's dramatic, one of the biggest problems we are facing globally, with terrible future costs to society," said Dr. Neira. "The cost for countries is enormous. Air pollution affects economies and people's quality of life. It leads to major chronic diseases and to people ultimately dying."

China's air quality seems to have improved since 2011 according to WHO. Only five of China's cities remain in the worst 30. China is taking the 'Green Environment, Clean Environment' thought to a whole other level. It hopes to improve its air quality even more with the construction of the Nanjing Vertical Forests. The vertical forest is the perfect environmental solution which will improve greenery as well as purify the air to improve the quality of life.

China's Vertical Forest

The Nanjing Vertical Forests will absorb 25 tons of carbon dioxide in the city while producing 60 kg of oxygen each day. This will allow people to breathe in oxygen which is 3,000 times purer than China's current air. The forest will be made up of over 3,000 plants. This will include 1,100 flourishing trees and about 2,500 cascading shrubs, taken from 23 different local species. The plants will cover a total area of 6,000 square meters.

[Image Source: Stefano Boeri Architetti]

"It is crucial for city and national governments to make urban air quality a health and development priority," said Dr. Carlos Dora, coordinator of the WHO's Interventions for Healthy Environment program.

"When air quality improves, health costs from air pollution related diseases shrink, worker productivity expands and life expectancy grows," said Dr. Dora. "Reducing air pollution also brings an added climate bonus, which can become a part of countries' commitments to the climate treaty."

The Nanjing Vertical Forests will be built on each of the two Nanjing Towers. The towers are expected to be approximately 200 meters (656 feet) and 108 meters (354) high. They will be situated in the Nanjing Pukou District. According to a press release, the vertical forest will hopefully pave the way for modernization in the south of China's Jiangsu province. Furthermore, it will help develop a Yangtze River economic zone.

[Image Source: Stefano Boeri Architetti]

The taller tower will be home to offices, a green architecture school, a museum as well as a rooftop club. The shorter tower will be home to the Hyatt hotel which is expected to have 247 rooms and a rooftop swimming pool. Furthermore, the 65-foot high podium will include shops, restaurants and a conference hall. The tower will be surrounded by balconies which will encourage inhabitants to get up close to the greenery on the building facades. Each occupant will have their own mini-garden to enjoy. This will help to regenerate biodiversity in the area.

[Image Source: Stefano Boeri Architetti]

Architecture

The concept has been introduced by the famous Italian architect named Stefano Boeri. Boeri popularized the concept in Milan, Italy where he designed two towers known as the Bosco Verticale. He plans on building similar structures in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Boeri has designed the Nanjing Towers in China and will see the project through. The towers are being promoted by Nanjing Yang Zi State-owned Investment Group Company Limited, one of the project's investors.

The Nanjing Vertical Forest is the first of its kind in both China and the entire Asia. The Architecture firm responsible for this project plans to design additional vertical forests across China. These will include Chongqing, Guizhou, Liuzhou, Shanghai and Shijiazhuang.

The Forest City in Shijiazhuang [Image Source: Stefano Boeri Architetti]

The Nanjing Towers are scheduled to be completed in 2018. The vertical forest will offer a beautiful view from its balconies which will set a great benchmark for the enrichment of China's biodiversity.

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China Is Building Asia's First Vertical Forest to Fight Air Pollution

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Asia's first Vertical forest, called the Nanjing Vertical Forest, will be built in the South of China' Jiangsu province. The vertical forest is expected

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Clairy Smart Natural Air Purifier by Ian

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Clairy Smart Natural Air Purifier by Ian

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Clairy is a filtration system that works from phytoremediation and amplifying the natural process. It increases the passage of air through the plant and the harmful substances are converted to nourishment for the plant itself.

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NATEDE: Preorder now on Indiegogo

Cutting edge technology with natural superpowers

In the 1980's, NASA found that some plants are able to eliminate toxic agents but through their roots, not their leaves.

Following the results of this research, we invented Clairy, a mind-blowing filtration system that boosts the power of the plants by directing toxic agents and pollutants through the roots.
I t has been tested thanks to specific laboratory research and experiments that have proved its effectiveness. Clairy is the smart solution to indoor air pollution.
Scientific validation has been given by the combined work of LINV, International Laboratory for Plant Neurobiology ( www.linv.org ) and PNAT, a spin off research project of the University of Florence ( www.pnat.net ).

How does Clairy work?

The air inside our homes, offices and schools can have up to 5x the pollution and particles as the air outside.

Smoke, paint, carpeting, plastics, cleaning supplies and other common household items can release harmful pollutants into our indoor air.

As we spend about 90% of our day in a home, school or office, it is critical that we take indoor air pollution seriously.

Clairy is the solution to the problem of indoor air pollution: it is a filtration system with a double pot, that works thanks to the principle of phytoremediation and takes it to the next level, amplifying the natural process.

The filtering system has a technological core that exponentially increases the passage of air through the plant where, thanks to the combined action of microorganisms in the soil associated with the roots of the plant, the harmful substances in the air are converted in nourishment for the plant itself.

Thanks to the air quality, temperature and humidity sensors, Clairy monitors the level of indoor air pollution and gives you real-time informations through the app.

With Clairy you can get rid of dust, mold, VOCs and other dangerous indoor pollutants and take care of your health, well-being, safety and comfort, for you and for your loved ones.

Smart. Connected. Full control.

Clairy is smart, it connects to your home Wi-Fi and you can manage it from our Clairy app, that works both on smartphones and tablets. Thanks to the app you can monitor indoor air quality in real time, and you can manage your Clairy wherever you are.

Track indoor air pollution in real time.

Thanks to our latest generation sensors, Clairy tracks the presence of VOCs, toxins, pollutants and other particles indoors. When the air is potentially harmful it helps you set it right so you can breathe fresh air and stay healthy.

Know your indoor air quality. Get peace of mind.

Along with indoor air pollution, you can track temperature and humidity from the app to make sure your indoor environment is an healthy, comfortable and safe place for you and your loved ones.

What makes Clairy different

Has a self watering system that makes you save water

It's energy efficient and extremely quiet

We've worked hard on the design for more than a year. The design is important, not only for the aesthetics of the product but also to improve the air purifying performance.

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Technology - Clairy Smart Natural Air Purifier

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NATEDE: Preorder now on Indiegogo Cutting edge technology with natural superpowers In the 1980's, NASA found that some plants are able to eliminate toxic agents but through their roots, not their leaves. Following the results of this research, we invented Clairy, a mind-blowing filtration system that boosts the power of the plants by directing toxic agents and pollutants through the roots.

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One thing you can do in your home to keep agriculture sustainable is use natural pesticides if any at all. You can bring in good insects to kill the bad insects that will eat your crops instead of spraying chemicals that can end up in the ecosystem.https://greentumble.com/10-sustainable-farming-methods-and-practices/

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Seed Banks (City Planning/Design) Matthew Hartono

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Seed Banks (City Planning/Design) Matthew Hartono

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Seed banks are areas where huge varieties of plant seeds are stored. This is so if a plant species goes extinct, they can go to the seed bank and replant them.
https://greentumble.com/10-ways-to-conserve-biodiversity/#government

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How green building impacts cities by Connor

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How green building impacts cities by Connor

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Green building design is becoming more and more relevant in cities due to new buildings being constructed in place of old ones. One important thing these new buildings have is enhanced ventilation and improved insulation to reduce the amount of air that escapes to improve energy efficiency.

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New buildings are rising with urban growth. Here's why that may be a good thing.

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A way for cities to tackle food waste. The Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) is helping municipalities make strides to help in food waste prevention.  NRDC's goal is to help customize approaches for specific locations while also identifying and addressing common themes and directing individual municipalities to strategies that will work for many of them.

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Cities and states are uniquely positioned to take on the challenges of dealing with food waste and are increasingly motivated to do so. They are charged with reducing massive volumes of material going to landfill; many are working to meet demanding diversion targets.

Governments grapple with issues tied to funding and logistics to accomplish these tasks. While some are stepping up to fulfill obligations imposed on them and some are doing even more than required, they struggle with a mounting food waste problem.

The Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) is helping municipalities make strides, specifically in food waste prevention, surplus food rescue and food scrap recycling. Building on a pilot in Nashville, Tenn., the nonprofit is partnering with two cities through an initiative called Food Matters. NRDC hopes to lay a foundation for other cities to build successful programs and help their states cut food waste.

Darby Hoover, senior resource specialist at NRDC, will share what transpires from this work at WasteExpo 2019 in Las Vegas during a session titled "Advances in Wasted Food Policy, Practices, and Management: Highlighting What Cities and States can do Differently When It Comes to Wasted Food," held Monday, May 6 from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. PT.

Presenting with Hoover will be Cheryl Coleman of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Kai Robertson, Food Loss & Waste Protocol, World Resources Institute; and Yalmaz Siddiqui, MGM Resorts & Member, Nevada's Sustainability Alliance.

"We are finding there are common trends around where food waste is happening and what strategies might be useful. But there are variations on specifics as far as what's in place and where the best opportunities are. We have to consider cities' individual needs, goals and resources," says Hoover.

NRDC's goal is to help customize approaches for specific locations while also identifying and addressing common themes and directing individual municipalities to strategies that will work for many of them.

"We want to tackle the whole spectrum of strategies to address wasted food, including prevention of waste, rescue and recycling. And we want to help cities incorporate policies, programs and partnerships to do that," says Hoover.

For now, NRDC is working with Denver and Baltimore to assess existing resources and identify opportunities to add infrastructure for rescue and scrap recycling, and it will help develop strategies to educate consumers and businesses on preventing food waste. In mid-February, the nonprofit will convene other municipalities to share their strategies and practices and talk through questions and solutions.

"Our plan is to work on the ground with these jurisdictions through the next year, and then hopefully show meaningful policy and program adoption as well have templates in place to guide municipalities in replicating models across the U.S.," says Hoover.

Food waste is a problem that comes with a $218 billion price tag and generates 63 million tons of garbage across the supply chain.

In working to cut those numbers, governments can help businesses and residents reduce food waste, which can help feed their citizens who are food insecure. They can create green jobs and achieve climate goals in their communities, says Chris Cochran, executive director of Rethink Food Waste Through Economics and Data (ReFED), who will moderate the WasteExpo session.

ReFED developed a tool that lists policies around prevention, recovery and recycling that states and municipalities are pursuing or could pursue. This resource also lists best-in-class and worst-in-class policies of jurisdictions across the country.

"Massachusetts is a great example of a success story. Its plan includes a ban requiring large businesses to recycle food waste that creates market demand and has produced $175 million in economic value and 900 jobs," says Cochran.

But Massachusetts' approach isn't working solely because of a ban, he says.

"It's also successful because of a state grant program to help build out recycling infrastructure and because the state provides technical assistance to businesses to help set up for success," says Cochran.

Similar programs exist in five states and five cities. And another initiative is unfolding in California, which is currently writing regulations for SB 1383. SB 1383 will require jurisdictions to get to 50 percent diversion by 2020 and 75 percent by 2025.

"The California bill will be one of several topics we will talk about at WasteExpo. It has significant implications for the state in helping achieve its food waste reduction goals," says Cochran.

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What Cities and States Can Do to Tackle Food Waste

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Cities and states are uniquely positioned to take on the challenges of dealing with food waste and are increasingly motivated to do so. They are charged with reducing massive volumes of material going to landfill; many are working to meet demanding diversion targets. Governments grapple with issues tied to funding and logistics to accomplish these tasks.

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The tower harvests smog and compressed it into cubes that can later be use for quirky jewelry.

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The smog-eating TOWER: 'World's largest air purifier' building will suck pollutants from the skies to lock them inside jewellery

Dutch designers are raising money to make the Smog Free Tower

Globe-trotting tall structure would be the ' world's largest air purifier'

It will filter air and remove smog particles to create 'bubbles' of clean air

Smog collected will be made into cubes used in distinctive jewellery

It's no secret that the air of some of the world's most highly populated cities is thick with smog and harmful pollutants.

Now a team of Dutch designers have come up with an innovative solution to clean up our skies - and create jewellery in the process.

The Smog Free Tower is intended to be the 'largest purifier in the world' and create a 'cube of smog' from every 1,000 cubic metres of air it cleans.

Designers from Studio Roosegaarde in Rotterdam are raising money on Kickstarter to make their tower a reality and could begin building as soon as next month, The Creators Project reported.

The plan is to build the large air purifier and take it on tour around the world to create 'bubbles' of clean air.

The machine will harvest smog, which will be compressed into cubes that will be used to make quirky jewellery.

Each cube will be made from smog collected from 35,315 cubic feet (1,000 cubic metres) of poor quality air and rings, for example will have a clear cube of acrylic fixed to them with a floating cube of black smog inside.

Daan Roosegaarde, who is leading the project, writes on Kickstarter, writes: 'The Smog Free Tower is the first step of the Smog Free Movement: our dream of a clean future in which people work together to stop pollution.

'We believe that the Smog Free Tower provides a unique opportunity to get people to understand the issue of air pollution through direct experience.

'The bubble of clean air that the Smog Free Tower generates will be a place that brings people together to work and think about how we can free our cities of smog.'

The idea of the tower began three years ago during a trip to smoggy Beijing.

Since then, an indoor prototype has been developed and the team is ready to build a real working version, which will first work its magic in Rotterdam.

The tower will then travel around the world, from city to city, from Beijing to Paris and Los Angeles to Mexico City, if enough funds are raised.

The structure will be 23 feet tall (7 metres tall) and use patented technology to filter the surrounding air.

Ionic filters will charge and remove smog particles, blowing fresh air out of the tower's side vents.

This will create a high-pressure zone, which the team estimate can create a bubble that consistently has 75 percent less smog than elsewhere.

Roosegaarde said: 'We're basically building the largest air purifier in the world.'

'The technology is already used indoors in hospitals. It's safe and tested, we just build the largest one outdoors.'

The team believes that in areas affected by severe air pollution, the Smog Free Tower will harvest enough smog to produce over 3,500 'Smog Free Cubes' a day.

The plan is to produce one million of these cubes in total.

Backers can pre-order a smog free cube for €50 (£35 or $55) on Kickstarter or a smog free ring or cufflinks for €250 (£177 and $276), which are estimated to ship in December.

Roosegaarde told MailOnline: 'I always try to make things which improve life.

'I want to show that people they can be part of the solution.

'The rings may not be the solution but they can bridge the gap between where we are now and where we need to be.'

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'World's largest air purifier' will suck smog from the skies

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Dutch designers are raising money to make the Smog Free Tower Globe-trotting tall structure would be the ' world's largest air purifier' It will filter air and remove smog particles to create 'bubbles' of clean air Smog collected will be made into cubes used in distinctive jewellery It's no secret that the air of some of the world's most highly populated cities is thick with smog and harmful pollutants.

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This machine was deigned by Janicki Bioenergy, a bioengineering firm in Seattle, that is part of the Gates foundation. This machine burns human feces and turns it into clean drinking water and electricity. They have done a test run for this machine in Senegal and they have had great success.

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This Ingenious Machine Turns Feces Into Drinking Water

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Bill Gates recently got to check out the Omniprocessor, an ingenious machine designed and built by Janicki Bioenergy, which turns human waste into water and electricity.

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Harvesting rainwater is super effiecient because there are places where it is better to user rain water rather than drinking water. Showers, dishes, laundry, etc.

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E-bikes use rechargeable batteries that can travel up to 25 to 45 km/h, much faster than most people would cycle, getting you to your destination quicker and in better shape. In a nutshell they offer low cost, energy efficient, and emission-free transportation which also has physical and health benefits.

https://www.skipeak.net/blog/8-benefits-of-using-electric-bikes

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The International Energy Agency- Cutter Buchea

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The International Energy Agency- Cutter Buchea

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The International Energy Agency  brings together a comprehensive set of the very latest data and analysis across all fuels and all technologies to track the progress of energy transitions- an essential step to achieving climate and sustainable development goals.
https://www.iea.org/

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A disposable process in which the hazardous waste is mixed with surface oil to than be degraded, transformed or immobilized through proper treatment.

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Hazardous Waste Management - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

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Engineers design and operate facilities to prevent, contain, decontaminate, and otherwise treat these wastes before they are released. However, hazardous waste engineering is most often associated with interventions after the wastes have been released. Engineers are frequently called on to address these wastes once they are released to the environment.

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The new AIR-INK project is one project that is using air pollutants and converting into usable ink

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A new device is extracting air pollution and turning into usable ink. Pollution is becoming an escalating problem. For over 150 years, fossil fuels have been an integral part of human development. One of the major issues that come with it, however, is the soot it produces. Research has proven soot to be a major cause of premature deaths around the world. In America alone, over 20,000 premature deaths were caused by particle exposure. Soot also is the main cause of over 300,000 asthma attacks and 2 million lost workdays due to respiratory problems. However, researchers are developing an incredible device which turns air pollution into ink. Once it passes government testing, the technology will be used to take the air pollution out of exhausts.

[Image Source: Graviky Labs via Kickstarter]

A few years ago, former MIT student, Anirudh Sharma, was appalled when he returned back to India. Sharma grew up there and knew the pollution was bad, though he could not believe the extent it grew to become when he returned.

"It was a very simple observation - I feel like anybody can see it," Sharma says, commenting on the effects of the pollution in his home country. "Your clothes get dirtier much faster, you can see this pigmentation happening [on] buildings, to your clothes, to everywhere around you."

His solution was to build a device which can extract the black sludge from the air and repurpose it. The device, called the is a mechanism that retrofits to an exhaust pipe and extracts pollution from the air. The researchers who developed the mechanism at Graviky Labs claim it removes 95% of the particular matter pollution without inducing back-pressure.

Turning soot into ink

Historically, one of the most common ink types was black carbon ink. It is made from extremely fine particles of the soot of burnt oils or resins in a solution of glue or gum arabic. Although there are other ways of producing black ink, it is still one of the cheapest methods. The device captures the already emitted soot vehicles generate.

It takes just 45 minutes worth of vehicular emissions captured by Kaalink to produce 1 fluid ounce of ink --enough to fill one of the pens being offered through this Kickstarter campaign.

Currently, the project has raised more than US 35,000 dollars on Kickstarter, more than double their original goal of 14,000 dollars.

The claims are bold, however, the device is currently undergoing certification and the lab is hosting private demonstrations.

Capturing Soot

Combustion engines are designed to be efficient, however, inevitably the engine will generate pollution. Incomplete combustion generates the fine black particles which soot is predominantly composed of. Soot particles are incredibly small, typically measuring just 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter; Thinner than dust or mold, it can travel deep into the lungs where it can become lodged and cause serious damage.

How Kaalink captures soot

The idea first sprouted in 2013 at the Fluid Interfaces Group, MIT Media Lab. Since its initial development, it has undergone many refinements to improve the capture technology. Air travels through a series of channels which scrub the particles out of the exhaust. The soot becomes trapped between plates where it can be later extracted.

The system relies on a series of channels which redirects air down smaller passages. As the pipes converge, the channels scrub the small particles that measure 1/30th the diameter of a human hair. However, the device does not affect the performance of the engine. Advanced sensors monitor and gauge the flow and performance of the device. If backpressure is detected, air is redirected through electronically actuated vents. Kaalink, the system the device relies on, can be retrofitted to virtually any exhaust pipe to capture the outgoing pollutants.

The unit automatically turns on when an engine is activated and gases start flowing through the exhaust. This activates the flow and thermo sensor, which, in turn, engages a mechatronic capture system. All fine particle matter is then captured within the walls of the unit; however, gases are allowed to pass through, leaving the engine unaffected. When the lights on the exterior of the unit turn from blue to red, the catchment is full.

Air Ink explains on their website.

Converting the soot into ink

Unfortunately, soot contains many impurities and carcinogens. Micro fragments from the engine break off and accumulate in the soot. Similarly, impurities in the fuel create toxic compounds which have to be carefully extracted from the soot before it can be converted into ink.

The captured pollution is taken back to a lab where it undergoes a process that removes trace of heavy metals and carcinogens. From there, the refined soot goes through various industrial processes to manufacture the final product; inks and paint.

The captured pollution contains toxic impurities like re-entrant dust, heavy metals, oils, VOCs etc. This is purified by proprietary chemical processes beginning with gravity based separation for high-mass particles, to comminution and catalysed activation. Finally the recovered soot is taken through a grinding process to bring to a consistent particle size, as good as an ink pigment.

Gaviky Labs goes on to explain.

The future of pollution-to-ink

Though the technology is not a permanent solution, it is a superb effort of resourcefulness to reduce emissions. Before full-scale development, the device will have to prove it will not clog and potentially damage cars, or cause engines to fail at critical times. Furthermore, the collection methods must be convenient to the owner, yet still practical and profitable for the company involved.

There are still many hurdles for the technology to bloom into the magnificent device it claims to be. Despite the challenges yet to be overcome, the technology is proving to be a promising solution. When and if it reaches a scalable level, it could perhaps be a fantastic method to help reduce humanities' impact on the world.

Written by Maverick Baker

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This Incredible Device Can Turn Air Pollution into Usable Ink

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A new device is extracting air pollution and turning into usable ink. Pollution is becoming an escalating problem. For over 150 years, fossil fuels have been an integral part of human development. One of the major issues that come with it, however, is the soot it produces.

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Cities adding more walking and bike lanes -Yonas

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Cities adding more walking and bike lanes -Yonas

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Many cities have been adding bike lanes to promote biking and less use of cars.
https://www.bicycling.com/rides/a24065432/bike-lanes-can-save-cities-heres-proof/

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Among all European countries, Norway is the only one making any serious progress on a technology crucial to helping the world reach its climate goals: carbon capture and storage.

The concept is simple. Ideally we stop burning fossil fuels and otherwise emitting carbon dioxide immediately. But in many cases that's not possible. For those situations, we now have the technology to capture the CO2 emissions and bury them underground, to act as a bridge to a time when we can be fossil-fuel free. Norway built the first large scale carbon-capture project at the Sleipner gas field in 1996, and since has been storing nearly 1 million metric tons of CO2 each year.

Now, Norway appears ready to take carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to the next level. On May 15, the country's government tentatively approved a project that would capture emissions from a cement plant and a waste-to-energy power plant in Oslo, then ship them to the North Sea, where they will be buried underground. The Norwegian government also approved €29 million ($34 million) in funding for the project.

The approval, however, comes with caveats. For one, the government moved its deadline to make a final decision on going ahead with construction to 2021, two years later than previously planned. The new plan also drops previously proposed support for capturing emissions from a third industrial emitter, a chemical plant producing ammonia.

Proponents of the project aren't happy with the slow progress. "It is vital that government starts to step-up and turn its strong words on CCS into firm commitments," said Olav Øye, CCS adviser at the environmental nonprofit the Bellona Foundation, in a statement. "If it doesn't, it's not just Norwegians that will suffer, it will be the whole world."

The decision to drop the ammonia plant, owned by Oslo-based chemical company Yara International, is also controversial. In theory, because the Yara plant produces a near pure stream of carbon dioxide, it would cost less to institute a CCS project there than it would at the other two sites. (That's because the other sites will require specific technology to separate CO2 from other byproducts.)

Industry insiders say Yara had lost interest in the project. The company already sells some of the carbon dioxide it produces for industrial use (for use in carbonated beverages, for example), and a Yara spokesperson says any additional capture would be "complicated" and may not provide any returns on investment.

Norway was one of the first countries to instate a price on carbon, and that helped it to incentivize the use of CCS in sectors such as oil and gas exploration. But, as a member of the European Union's single market, the country cannot put that price on industrial producers of the greenhouse gases. That means carbon-emitting industries have little financial incentive to reduce those emissions. Yara's spokesperson said the company is focused on cutting emissions because it's the right thing for the world. (It's worth noting that the Norwegian government owns one third of Yara and is the company's largest shareholder, just as it is a majority stakeholder in Equinor, formerly Statoil, which runs the Sleipner CCS project.)

Even without Yara, if the project reaches the construction phase, it will be a major step for CCS technology. For one thing, the cement plant, owned by Heidelberg Cement, would be the world's first to capture carbon dioxide at large scale. Currently, the cement industry has no other way of reducing the carbon emissions that come from its raw materials, and its contribution to global emissions are more than 5% (more, for example, than all emissions from the aviation industry). There are startups are working hard on developing greener cement, but they are yet to reach a scale where they can make a sizable impact in reducing the whole industry's emissions.

The Norwegian government is working with three oil giants-Equinor, Shell, and Total-who will be responsible for transporting carbon dioxide and injecting it underground. If the project succeeds, Norway could open itself up to accepting carbon emissions from other countries. For example, a power plant in Germany could capture its emissions, and, instead of burying it, will ship it to the Norwegian North Sea where these three oil companies will bury it. It could potentially open up CCS to countries where there is a public backlash against burying emissions onshore.

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Norway has given a cautious approval to Europe's largest carbon-capture project

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Among all European countries, Norway is the only one making any serious progress on a technology crucial to helping the world reach its climate goals: carbon capture and storage. The concept is simple. Ideally we stop burning fossil fuels and otherwise emitting carbon dioxide immediately. But in many cases that's not possible.

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Culligan Home Water Filtration System-Isabel 

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Culligan Home Water Filtration System-Isabel 

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This company installs water filtration systems within your house to eliminate any impurities in the water such as iron, arsenic, and all types of sediment. Their systems use reverse osmosis to remove the impurities by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane that only allows water molecules to pass through.

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Water Filtration System for Home - Clean Water System | Hey Culligan

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Culligan is the world leader in residential, office, commercial, and industrial water treatment. Contact your Local Culligan Water Expert to schedule an appointment today.

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Interconnected parks allow animals to roam free from human disturbance especially when connected to a natural habitat. Having parks connected prevents habitat fragmentation.

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Never before have we lived in such an urban world. Asphalt and concrete extend themselves over the earth, water disappears undergroundand steel and glass sparkle under the sun. Urban expansion is one of the chief characteristics of the freshly minted Anthropocene era.

Yet hunters still leave the fringes of Mexico City to stalk game among the dormant volcanoes inside its southern limit. People are killed by leopards in the informal slums invading Sanjay Gandhi National Park within the megacity of Mumbai. Woodpeckers hammer the trees of Sao Paulo's Ibirapuera urban park; badgers raise their young in hidden locations in London; and penguins walk the beaches of Cape Town. Diminishing ecosystems are somehow hold together under the pressure of urbanisation.

Humans have always been attracted to sites with a great natural variety of plants and animals. The most biodiverse cities encompass several biomes, combining ocean and dry land habitats, lakes and mountains, or forests and savannahs.

But to calculate which city is the world's most biodiverse is complicated. Not all cities have the same area within their administrative limits, or the data necessary.

Two of the world's largest megacities, Sao Paulo and Mexico City, are surprising candidates for the title. Sao Paulo perches between Brazil's great Atlantic rainforest and the tropical savannah of the Cerrado - two highly rich biomes - allowing the megacity to surpass even the Amazon river port of Manaus in biodiversity, according to conservationist Denise Rambaldi.

"One lesson from the reintroduction of the Golden Lion Tamarin monkey in the Mata Atlantica is that it is much cheaper to preserve species in a particular area than to reintroduce them," she says.

Mexico City, meanwhile, was founded on lakebeds where the deserts of the northern highlands encountered the wooded volcanoes of Mexico's neo-volcanic axis. Even now, it still contains 2% of the world's species within its city limits.

Singapore, in the Sundaland biodiversity hotspot - a term used for regions where great biodiversity is threatened by destruction -is another interesting contender. Extending through Malaysia to Borneo and Bali, this high-density city, with its 392 species of birds, has made greening and biophilia an integral part of urban planning.

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A male baboon in Cape Town, which is home to 83 species of mammals. Photograph: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

By law, in certain areas, developers are responsible for replacing the greenery they occupy for construction. The result is a city of rooftop gardens, interconnected parks and a biodiversity-spotting app allowing citizens to record sightings of plants and animals. Amazingly, Singapore has managed to increase both its population and its green spaces at the same time. Since its independence, the citystate sought to distinguish itself by being clean and green, and today it has a 40% vegetation cover, despite its high density.

By way of comparison, Greater London has an average tree cover of 19.5%; Los Angeles was recorded as having 13% in 2015 after a dramatic decline from 21% in 2008.

Several other biodiverse cities - Medellin in Colombia, Iquitos in Peru, Brunei, Kunming in China, and Mumbai - are contenders for a position in the top five.

In the index proposed by the Cities and Biodiversity Outlook, biodiversity itself is not the only indicator to consider.Some cities such as Singapore, as well as Curitiba, Barcelona and Melbourne, are notable precisely for their leadership in recognising and exploiting biodiversity as a policy-making tool and an integral part of urban wellbeing.

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A group of wild otters sand-bathing on the beach along Kallang basin in Singapore. Photograph: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images

Indeed, a study from Denmark shows that people living more than one kilometre from a green area had higher odds of experiencing stress than people living within 300 meters. Increased stress impacts mental health, increases risks of heart attacks and diabetes - so it is not surprising that access to parks has been shown to increase home values from 5% to 7%.

The world's most biodiverse countries - Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, China, Mexico, Peru, Australia, India, Ecuador and Venezuela - are tropical or semi-tropical, and rapidly urbanising. Nature can seem a lesser priority here, trumped by water supply, paving, housing, education, health and other issues. But Singapore, for example, has shown that biodiversity can be part of the solution to many of these problems; it can be an integral part of urban infrastructure which prevents flooding, mitigates extreme temperatures and filters pollution, as well as promoting tourism and better health.

The world's most biodiverse urban area, in raw numbers and with an understanding for its value, could be Cape Town, according to Thomas Elmqvist, editor of Urbanization, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities and leader of the United Nation's City and Biodiversity Outlook Project.

The Western Cape, where Cape Town is located, contains 50% of all mammal species in South Africa. Baboons, ostriches and zebras, live in Table Mountain National Park, while whales, seals and otters swim off its shores. The stability of Cape Town's climate on the southern tip of Africa has enabled it to become home to approximately 3,000 species of plants, 361 species of birds and 83 species of mammals.

It is a sad reality that this biodiversity is under threat: as its human population has increased by more than 30% since 2011, 318 types of plants, 22 types of birds and 24 types of animals are in danger of extinction. But Cape Town is taking a variety of measures to protect and preserve this incredible natural asset.

One species endemic to South Africa, however, is not likely to be at risk any time soon, adorning balconies throughout the world as it does. Next time you see a geranium in bloom, think of the world's most biodiverse city, fighting against the tide.
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Which is the world's most biodiverse city?

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Never before have we lived in such an urban world. Asphalt and concrete extend themselves over the earth, water disappears undergroundand steel and glass sparkle under the sun. Urban expansion is one of the chief characteristics of the freshly minted Anthropocene era.

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Green spaces such as open parks and fields are maintained and the vegetation is beneficial to the surrounding environment and animals. The trees and plants in the middle of cities help provide an open space which improves mental health for residents.

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A few years ago in Baltimore County, Maryland, environmental staffers were reviewing a tree-planting proposal from a local citizens group. It called for five trees each of 13 different species, as if in an arboretum, on the grounds of an elementary school in a densely-populated neighborhood.

It seemed like a worthy plan, both for the volunteer effort and the intended environmental and beautification benefits. Then someone pointed out that there were hardly any oaks on the list, even though the 22 oak species native to the area are known to be wildlife-friendly. Local foresters, much less local wildlife, could barely recognize some of the species that were being proposed instead. As if to drive home the logical inconsistencies, both the school and the neighborhood were named after oak trees.

"Why are we doing this?" someone wondered.

That sort of epiphany has been happening a lot lately in metropolitan areas around the world, as people come to terms with both the dramatic increase in urbanized areas and the corresponding loss of wildlife. The portion of the planet characterized as urban is on track to triple from 2000 to 2030-that is, we are already almost halfway there. Meanwhile, 17 percent of the 800 or so North American bird species are in decline, and all 20 species on the Audubon Society's list of "common birds in decline" have lost at least half their population since 1970.

Those kinds of stark numbers, repeated around the world, have made it disturbingly evident that it's not enough for cities to plant a million trees, preach the gospel of backyard gardens, or build green roofs and smart streets. The trees, shrubs, and flowers in that ostensibly green infrastructure also need to benefit birds, butterflies, and other animals. They need to provide habitat for breeding, shelter, and food. Where possible, the habitat needs to be arranged in corridors where wildlife can safely travel.

Though it may be too soon to call it an urban wildlife movement, initiatives focused on urban biodiversity seem to be catching on. The U.S. Forest Service, which once laughed off the idea that anything urban could be wild, now supports a growing urban forest program. Urban ecology and urban wildlife programs are also proliferating on university campuses. There's a "Nature of Cities" blog, launched in 2012. University of Virginia researchers recently announced the beginning of a Biophilic Cities Network devoted to integrating the natural world into urban life, with Singapore, Oslo, and Phoenix among the founding partners.

Research has shown that oaks benefit everything from caterpillars to songbirds.

And in Baltimore County, officials now stipulate that canopy trees, rather than specimen, or ornamental, trees, must make up 80 percent of any planting on county land, and half of them need to be oaks. In an area where local nurseries hardly ever stocked oaks before, people sometimes balk, until the county's natural resource manager, Don Outen, explains the logic of it: Research has shown that oaks benefit everything from caterpillars to songbirds. Even fish prosper, because the aquatic invertebrates they feed on favor oak leaves on stream bottoms. At that point, says Outen, the reaction tends to shift to, "Why haven't we been doing this before?"

One reason is that researchers have barely begun to think about what wildlife already lives in the city, or how to encourage more of it. The importance of oaks in U.S. Mid-Atlantic states, for instance, came as news to most people in 2009, when Douglas Tallamy, a University of Delaware entomologist, published a ranking of trees and shrubs according to how many caterpillar species they harbor. (The Royal Horticultural Society has published a comparable list for Britain.) In contrast to oaks, which accommodate 537 species, says Tallamy, gingkoes, a standard street tree in many cities, host just three. "But there is this myth that a tree has to come from China to survive in cities," he comments.

Tallamy likes to point out that a single pair of Carolina chickadees needs to bring 6,000-9,000 caterpillars to the nest to rear a clutch of a half-dozen nestlings. Black-capped chickadees probably need more. If you want the birds, he says, you need the caterpillars, and to get the caterpillars you need the right trees. "All plants are not created equal," he says. "Natives are more likely to be beneficial than non-natives, but even among natives, there are differences." For instance, though tulip trees are undoubtedly majestic, at 160 feet in height, they are stingy with wildlife, hosting just 21 caterpillar species.

Cities capture about 20 percent of the world's avian biodiversity, according to a researcher.

At the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS), based at the University of California at San Barbara, researchers have begun to fill in a more detailed picture of what urban wildlife means. Because wildlife survey data often ends up in scattered locations, and recorded in different formats, they are developing a unified database, with species lists, abundance, and, in some cases, habitat types for urban wildlife in 156 global cities so far.

The preliminary evidence may be more encouraging than people tend to think, says Fresno State University ecologist Madhusudan Katti. Although pigeons, starlings, house sparrows, and barn swallows tend to turn up in cities worldwide, these four cosmopolitan species don't necessarily indicate that urban wildlife has become entirely homogenized. Cities also capture about 20 percent of the world's avian biodiversity, says Katti. That number may be skewed higher, he cautions, because younger cities tend to have more native birds. So it may be a transient effect. But understanding what's happening before species start to disappear opens up the opportunity for interventions and urban design to retain them.

A new study in the journal Landscape and Urban Planning also looks at better ways of understanding urban wildlife and habitat in combination. The study uses birds as bio-indicators for other wildlife types because they are easier to count than shy, often nocturnal, mammals, and because they are more broadly familiar to the public. "They're active during the day, they're colorful, they sing," says Susannah Lerman, a University of Massachusetts ornithologist and lead author of the new study. "So even if most people know nothing about wildlife, they know something about birds."

Scientists have assessed not just which trees characterize a neighborhood, but how good they are as bird habitat.

The study proposes a marriage of i-Tree and eBird, two current methods for keeping track of the natural world. Designed by the U.S. Forest Service, i-Tree is software used by organizations around the world to record data on urban tree cover, from single trees to entire forests. Its counterpart, eBird, from Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is a checklist system enabling thousands of birders around the world to log their observations into a central database. The combination of the two enables researchers to assess not just which trees characterize a neighborhood, but how good they are as bird habitat, and which birds are using them.

To demonstrate the usefulness of this methodology, the study's co-authors looked at 10 municipalities in the U.S. Northeast for which tree data happened to be available. They were aiming to show that the technology can work in the broadest possible range of communities. So they included municipalities from Moorestown, N.J., a Philadelphia bedroom community with a population of about 20,000, on up to New York City with 8.3 million. The ambition was to provide a quick tool for urban planners to assess how a proposed development would affect local wildlife, or which neighborhoods could benefit most from habitat improvements.

Accommodating wildlife in cities doesn't necessarily require massive investment, says Lerman. You can bring in more birds, she says, just by breaking up endless lawns with the right kinds of shrubs, to create structure and variety. Mowing those lawns a little less often - not weekly but every two or three weeks - will increase the population of native bees and other pollinators. As for bird feeders, they don't necessarily increase overall bird populations, but they do present one significant hazard: They can become "ecological traps," luring birds to their deaths in a sort of cat smorgasbord. Just keeping cats indoors, says Lerman, could prevent the loss of billions of birds in the United States every year.

In Britain, community gardens make a major difference in pollinating insects.

In Britain, adds Mark Goddard, of the University of Leeds, allotments, or community gardens, in urban areas make a major difference for pollinating insects, probably because they tend to feature fruit trees and bushes and because the weedy corners tend to be a little more insect-friendly than private gardens. Concern about dwindling pollinator species has also led to the recent proliferation of 60 wildflower meadows in British cities, modeled after the extensive meadows planted around the site of the 2012 London Olympics.
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The new study by Lerman and her co-authors may also inadvertently have hit on one unlikely source of hope for urban wildlife: Civic pride and competitiveness. Their study looked at the relative wildlife-friendliness of 10 sample cities and boiled the differences down to a series of numbers indicating how well each city accommodated nine representative species. While the study scrupulously avoids an overall ranking of cities, it would be easy enough for local partisans to look at the numbers and make invidious comparisons. For instance, among the big cities, Philadelphia ranked first for biodiversity, followed by Washington, D.C. Boston lagged well behind. But it beat New York, and New York topped its Hudson River neighbor, Jersey City.

No formal "green city" competition exists in this country, at least not yet. But the "Britain in Bloom" contest, sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society, increasingly focuses on pollinators and other environmental criteria. Along with a certain amount of municipal bombast, it manages to elicit a vast planting effort in British cities and towns year after year.

Maybe it's a fantasy to think anything like that could happen in the United States. But just imagine: Right now, mayors do verbal jousting over meaningless contests between teams that are merely named for wildlife - Chicago Cubs versus St. Louis Cardinals, Anaheim Ducks versus San Jose Sharks, Atlanta Hawks versus Charlotte Bobcats, and so on, through an entire zoo's worth of rivalries.

If those mayors had to go toe-to-toe over the real thing -"My city has more wildlife than yours," "My city has more green space than yours," "My city is a better place for bird, butterflies, and people to live"- that would be a competition worth watching.

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Urban Nature: How to Foster Biodiversity in World's Cities

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A few years ago in Baltimore County, Maryland, environmental staffers were reviewing a tree-planting proposal from a local citizens group. It called for five trees each of 13 different species, as if in an arboretum, on the grounds of an elementary school in a densely-populated neighborhood.

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Businesses in Seattle are required by law to implement the best water management practices.

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When it rains, water falls on our roofs, roads, driveways, and compacted soils and picks up harmful substances such as oil and metals from cars, lawn chemicals, and pet waste. This combination of rain and runoff, known as stormwater, flows directly into our local waterways - rivers, streams, lakes, and Puget Sound. To protect our waterways, Seattle businesses are required by law to implement best management practices.

We help businesses meet stormwater and fats, oils, and grease regulations:

Stormwater

Fats, Oils, Grease (FOG)

Wastewater

Ever experienced a clogged toilet? If so, you know it's not only unpleasant, but can also cost your business time and money. Currently, people flush wipes of all kinds, paper towels, facial tissues, and other products down toilets at an increasing rate. This "toilet trash" is backing up sewer systems, clogging the city's pumps and pipes, and may cause sewer overflows.

Why does trash end up in the toilet? The top three reasons customers and employees flush items other than toilet paper are:

Trash cans were full, overflowing, or not easily accessible

Toilet paper was not stocked

Restrooms were not clean enough - when restrooms appeared dirty, custodial staff found people were more likely to flush trash down the toilet.

What can you do?

Provide a trash can in every stall

Post educational signs on what is and isn't flushable. Train your employees on what is safe to flush. Download educational posters, door hangers, and other materials.

Inspect restrooms frequently, make sure toilet paper is stocked, and empty trash cans on a regular basis.

Watch a video about garbage in the sewage system.

For free assistance, call (206) 343-8505 or email envirostars@seattle.gov.

Get recognized for your efforts: EnviroStars.

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When it rains, water falls on our roofs, roads, driveways, and compacted soils and picks up harmful substances such as oil and metals from cars, lawn chemicals, and pet waste. This combination of rain and runoff, known as stormwater, flows directly into our local waterways - rivers, streams, lakes, and Puget Sound.

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On This Page

What is carbon dioxide capture and sequestration?

Carbon dioxide (CO ₂) capture and sequestration (CCS) is a set of technologies that can greatly reduce CO ₂ emissions from new and existing coal- and gas-fired power plants and large industrial sources. CCS is a three-step process that includes:

Capture of CO₂ from power plants or industrial processes

Transport of the captured and compressed CO₂ (usually in pipelines).

Underground injection and geologic sequestration (also referred to as storage) of the CO₂ into deep underground rock formations. These formations are often a mile or more beneath the surface and consist of porous rock that holds the CO₂. Overlying these formations are impermeable, non-porous layers of rock that trap the CO₂ and prevent it from migrating upward.

The figure below illustrates the general CCS process and shows a typical depth at which CO ₂ would be injected.

CCS Schematic (Subsurface depth to scale, 5,280 feet equals one mile)

Why is it important?

Carbon dioxide (CO ₂) capture and sequestration (CCS) could play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while enabling low-carbon electricity generation from power plants. As estimated in the U.S. Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, more than 40% of CO ₂ emissions in the United States are from electric power generation. CCS technologies are currently available and can dramatically reduce (by 80-90%) CO ₂ emissions from power plants that burn fossil fuels. Applied to a 500 MW coal-fired power plant, which emits roughly 3 million tons of CO ₂ per year, the amount of GHG emissions avoided (with a 90% reduction efficiency) would be equivalent to:

Planting more than 62 million trees, and waiting at least 10 years for them to grow.

Avoiding annual electricity-related emissions from more than 300,000 homes.

To see this emissions reduction expressed in other equivalent terms, see EPA's Carbon Equivalencies Calculator.

CCS could also viably be used to reduce emissions from industrial process such as cement production and natural gas processing facilities.

What sources of carbon dioxide can it be applied to?

Carbon dioxide (CO ₂) capture and sequestration (CCS) can significantly reduce emissions from large stationary sources of CO ₂, which include coal- and natural-gas-fired power plants, as well as certain industry types such as ethanol and natural gas processing plants. EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program includes facilities that capture CO ₂ for the purpose of supplying the CO ₂ to the economy or for injecting it underground ( Subpart PP). According to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, CO ₂ capture is currently occurring at over 120 facilities in the United States, mainly on industrial processes, and the CO ₂ is used for a wide range of end uses. End uses of CO ₂ include enhanced oil recovery (EOR), food and beverage manufacturing, pulp and paper manufacturing, and metal fabrication. The figure below shows the portion of CO ₂ that is currently being captured from power plants and other industrial facilities and the portion that is extracted by production wells from natural CO ₂ bearing formations in the United States. The second figure shows the various domestic end uses of captured and extracted CO ₂. (Note that natural sources of CO ₂ are not considered in the Total CO ₂ Supply End Uses figure). As CCS becomes more widespread, it is expected that the portion of CO ₂ captured in the United States from power generation and industrial processes will increase.

Where can captured carbon dioxide be stored?

After capture, carbon dioxide (CO ₂) is compressed and then transported to a site where it is injected underground for permanent storage (also known as "sequestration"). CO ₂ is commonly transported by pipeline, but it can also be transported by train, truck, or ship. Geologic formations suitable for sequestration include depleted oil and gas fields, deep coal seams, and saline formations. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that anywhere from 1,800 to 20,000 billion metric tons of CO ₂ could be stored underground in the United States. That is equivalent to 600 to 6,700 years of current level emissions from large stationary sources in the United States.
Overview of Geologic Storage Potential in the United States (Source: U.S. Department of Energy, NATCARB)
Potential sequestration sites must undergo appropriate site characterization to ensure that the site can safely and securely store CO ₂. After being transported to the sequestration site, the compressed CO ₂ is injected deep underground into solid, but porous rock, such as sandstone, shale, dolomite, basalt, or deep coal seams. Suitable formations for CO ₂ sequestration are located under one or more layers of cap rock, which trap the CO ₂ and prevent upward migration. These sites are then rigorously monitored to ensure that the CO ₂ remains permanently underground. The safety and security of CO ₂ geologic sequestration is a priority for EPA.

For more information, visit the National Carbon Sequestration Database and Geographic Information System (NATCARB), Exit a geographic information system (GIS)-based tool developed to provide an overview of CCS projects and storage potential.

References

[1] MIT (2007) The Future of Coal: Options for a Carbon-Constrained World, Exit Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2007.

[2] NACAP (2012) The North American Carbon Storage Atlas, Exit The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), and the Mexican Ministry of Energy (SENER).

[3] GHGRP (2012) EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Data-Subpart PP-Suppliers of Carbon Dioxide. Based on 2011 data.

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Carbon Dioxide Capture and Sequestration: Overview | US EPA

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Carbon dioxide (CO 2) capture and sequestration (CCS) is a set of technologies that can greatly reduce CO 2 emissions from new and existing coal- and gas-fired power plants and large industrial sources. CCS is a three-step process that includes: Capture of CO2 from power plants or industrial processes Transport of the captured and compressed CO2 (usually in pipelines).

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https://www.fastcompany.com/40421177/this-giant-smog-vacuum-cleaner-in-china-actually-works
A park in china uses a massive air filter to pull CO2 out of the air in the surrounding area.

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urban agriculture is when cities grow food in or very close to the city in order to feed everybody and help the cities economy. Lots of techniques are used including backyard farms and gardens, community gardens, rooftop farms, growing crops in urban greenhouses, indoor hydroponic farms, and perhaps even growing food inside. Cities like Portland Oregon do a lot of this. In Portland they do this 26 farmer’s markets, 22 acres of community gardens and over 170 food cart businesses.

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May 27, 2014 | Trish Popovitch

Small growers and urban farms are springing up across the nation, but many cities lack the infrastructure, zoning laws and foresight to truly leverage this transition.

Over the past several years, however, city governments, often working with local stakeholder groups and food policy councils, are changing that. Urban agriculture ordinances help light the way for would-be urban farmers, providing guidance and a sense of legitimacy.

Here is Seedstock's list of ten cities leading the way with innovative urban agriculture ordinances that provide a blueprint for a new economic future grounded in sustainable food production in urban centers.

The City of Detroit, once the wealthiest city in the United States, saw its population peak in 1950 at 1.8 million. In the sixty years since, population declined by 60 percent to approximately 713,000 in 2010. As a result, the city's once bustling 139-square miles contain an estimated 200,000 vacant parcels comprising a quarter of the city's land area, according to the Wall Street Journal. The vacant land stretches for miles, forming vistas across urban prairies interspersed with abandoned structures. In 2009, the city of Detroit created a Food Policy Council to study how to implement local food systems and urban agriculture in the city, and in 2013, through the work of the council, the city adopted a comprehensive urban agriculture ordinance. With detailed zoning that focuses on the production of local food, the city is now home to 1350 community gardens, as well as farmer's markets, food trucks, small urban growers and local businesses focused on neighborhood stabilization.
2. Portland, Oregon
With 26 farmer's markets, 22 acres of community gardens and over 170 food cart businesses, Portland is a haven for urban agriculture. Supplemental businesses such as bee keeping supply shops and farming supply stores have sprung up across the city in the last few years. Small farms just outside the city provide a local food economy and CSAs abound. Portland adopted an urban growth boundary in 1981, a community gardening program in 1975 and passed an Urban Food Zoning Code in June of 2012. The Food Zoning Code has a new chapter on food production and distribution within the city limits providing detailed guidelines for market and community gardens, CSAs and farmer's markets. Community and respect for neighbors is part and parcel of Portland's plan forward.
3. Austin, Texas
Community gardens in Austin provide over 100,000 pounds of local fresh food annually. With a YWCA Community garden project dating back to 1975 and the founding of Austin's Sustainable Food Center in 1993, t his fast growing Texas city is no stranger to sustainable thinking. The city of Austin adopted the Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Community Garden Program (SUACG) in 2009 providing a framework of guidelines for an established local food system. The ordinance addresses not only community gardens and urban farms but storm water collection as well as waste and energy reduction. The ordinance is brief in comparison to many, but supported by an active Sustainable Food Policy Board created in 2009.

With over 40 food truck companies, a pilot residential composting program, 200 community gardens, 100 school gardens and 28 farmer's markets, Boston was in need of a framework for its growing sustainability efforts. In December of 2013, the City of Boston adopted Article 89 into their zoning code focused on providing structure for developing urban agriculture while also helping to promote it's growth. Before the zoning amendment, there was nothing in city code that expressly allowed or discouraged urban agriculture in the city. Article 89 permits ground-level and roof-top farming, bee-keeping, chicken-keeping, aquaponics, and hydroponics as well as farm stands and farmer's markets.
5. Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland's urban agriculture movement has steadily gained momentum in recent years. The city began adopting green space policies in 2005. In 2007, they created garden and farmer's market polices and established a Food Policy Council. In 2009 came the chickens and the bees and finally, in 2010, they provided guidelines for urban agriculture. Today, with 20 farmer's markets, 30 CSAs, more than 200 community gardens and a recent study showing 1108 potential sites for urban agriculture, Cleveland is tackling its "rust belt" status head on. The city's Office of Sustainability promotes the "Sustainable Cleveland 2019" initiative bringing together various institutions, nonprofits, businesses and residents to build a Cleveland that is green, resilient and thriving.
6. Chicago, Illinois
In 2011, Chicago adopted a revision to its zoning code to allow urban agriculture as a permitted use within the city limits. This includes the creation of rooftop farms, apiaries, community gardens and farmers' markets and the transformation of vacant lots into urban farms, all in an effort to make Chicago a safer, healthier place to live and work. Sustainable businesses are moving into Chicago and community outreach efforts and sustainable education programming abounds. With 64 food truck vendors, 24 seasonal markets and one year round market, 62 urban farms and community gardens, 54 businesses and organizations actively promoting urban agriculture, not to mention an ever growing bounty of restaurant rooftop gardens, Special attention to utilizing urban agriculture to revitalize urban neighborhoods on Chicago's south side is paying dividends.
7. Seattle, Washington
Always a leader in urban agriculture, Seattle adopted its first sustainability plan back in 1994. Revisions to the city's zoning code in 2010 clarified land use requirements and limits of urban agriculture. The city's P-Patch community garden program began in 1973 and today, 85 community gardens are housed on 31 acres of city land. The Neighborhood Farmer's Market Alliance manages seven farmer's markets in the city. There are over 160 food trucks in operation, over 30 CSAs and dozens of urban farms in town and in the outlying region creating a vibrant local food culture. The city's latest urban agriculture addition is the Urban Garden Share program matching experienced gardeners that live in condos and apartment with local gardens with growing space to share.
8. Baltimore, Maryland
In 2013, Baltimore created an urban agriculture plan detailing the many ways in which urban agriculture can take place in the city as well as educational and funding opportunities for residents and business owners. In 2010, a rewrite of the city's zoning code began and is expected to pass into law this year. The new code changes community gardens from a temporary to permitted use in all zoning districts. Some of the gardens have already been in existence for over two decades. Urban farms will go from temporary to conditional use in all districts except those zoned industrial. The code clarifies the keeping of bees, chickens, rabbits and even miniature goats in the city. The city created Homegrown Baltimore and a Food Policy Initiative to encourage urban agriculture and promote the use of vacant city lots for green space and food production. With 20 farmer's markets, six public markets, over 30 food trucks and dozens of urban farms and CSAs, Baltimore is encouraging a vibrant local economy while creating a better educated and healthier populace.
9. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Registering 2,700 vacant lots and 12,000 foreclosed homes in 2013 and the loss of 70,000 manufacturing jobs since 1970, the city of Milwaukee had to reassess its collective future. In April 2012, a zoning code audit for the city supported the idea of promoting urban agriculture to build a new economy. Zoning for agriculture, bees and greenhouses already existed. Through the Office of Sustainability's HOME GR/OWN program, vacant lots are being transformed into green spaces, urban farms, community gardens and city orchards. A plan to refresh the city's infrastructure, ReFresh Mike, promotes sustainable manufacturing, an increase in local food production and a reduction in waste and energy use. With community garden grants, chicken and bee ordinances, vacant lot leases, tax breaks for Brownfield cleanup and funding for sustainable manufacturing, Milwaukee sets the bar high in terms of post industrial city evolution.

10. Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Minneapolis City Council adopted an Urban Agriculture Policy Plan in 2011 with recommendations to improve conditions for urban growers and gardeners. An urban agriculture ordinance passed in March of 2012 to implement the plan's recommendations, providing detailed guidelines and use requirements for current and emerging urban farmers and growers. The Minneapolis Food Council collaborating with the Homegrown Minneapolis initiative makes urban agriculture policy recommendations to the city. With 200 community gardens, 80 food trucks and 32 farmer's markets, Minneapolis continues to promote urban agriculture and increase access to local fresh food for its residents.

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10 American Cities Lead the Way With Urban Agriculture Ordinances

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May 27, 2014 | Trish Popovitch Small growers and urban farms are springing up across the nation, but many cities lack the infrastructure, zoning laws and foresight to truly leverage this transition. Over the past several years, however, city governments, often working with local stakeholder groups and food policy councils, are changing that.

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This quasi-judicial authority has made laws to prevent construction and pollution near some rivers in India.

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Dying Waters: India Struggles to Clean Up Its Polluted Urban Rivers

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India’s booming population and rapidly expanding urban areas have exacted a huge toll on its rivers, which are badly polluted and choked by development. But in cities across India, activists are heading to court to force municipalities and states to take action.

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New technologies make it possible for your home to not just save energy but actually suck carbon out of the atmosphere

smithsonian.com

The most advanced green buildings don't just consume fewer resources. Some are made from materials that are taken quite literally out of thin air-forged from carbon dioxide and methane that would otherwise pollute the atmosphere. Everything from walls and furniture to the roofs above our heads can be made from greenhouse gases.

Removing atmospheric CO2 and putting it into something useful or storing it somewhere safely is called carbon sequestration. Carbon can be sequestered by scrubbing CO2 out of the exhaust stream in power plant smokestacks and pumping it deep underground, although this process still remains largely untested and prohibitively expensive. Another promising new technology transforms greenhouse gases into the fuel methanol.

There are even artificial "trees" developed by researchers at Columbia University which use sodium carbonate-impregnated "leaves" to capture carbon in a chemical reaction, producing sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda. The baking soda can later be heated to release pure, sequestration-ready CO2. But the problem with these ambitious new technologies is that few consumers have been willing to pay for them.

Trapping carbon in building materials, on the other hand, is a lot cheaper. The products that do this are generally cost-competitive with less sustainable options, and we don't have to wait for big corporations or governments to act. We can choose to use these green alternatives in our own homes.

Granted, these materials are unlikely to make a big dent in our current climate crisis unless we combine their use with wasting a lot less energy. In 2014, the average U.S. residential utility customer consumed 10,932 kilowatt-hours of electricity, resulting in the emission of over seven tons of carbon into the atmosphere.

We already know some good ways to clean up our act. Insulating better and purchasing the latest energy-efficient appliances are two places to start lowering the carbon footprint of our homes. But to fully earn the Green Housekeeping Seal of Approval, you'll also need to get smarter about what your house is made of. Fortunately, there is a growing number of cleaner and greener options to choose from.

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Five Ways You Can Store Excess Carbon In Your Home, Literally

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smithsonian.com The most advanced green buildings don't just consume fewer resources. Some are made from materials that are taken quite literally out of thin air-forged from carbon dioxide and methane that would otherwise pollute the atmosphere. Everything from walls and furniture to the roofs above our heads can be made from greenhouse gases.

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Friends of the Earth AQ Testing Kits Adrian Smith

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Friends of the Earth AQ Testing Kits Adrian Smith

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Friends of the Earth is an environmental charity in the UK supplying citizens with testing kits, so they can learn more about the quality of the air in their local areas. The kits include a monitoring tube and an easy-to-follow guide, so that concerned citizens can get accurate answers about the air they're breathing.

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In UK cities like London, air pollution is a major concern. Londoners know the experience of getting home after a long day and upon blowing their nose, noticing black soot smudged all over the tissue.

Now, citizens are taking monitoring the air around them into their own hands. According to environmental charity Friends of the Earth, 70 groups in the United Kingdom are using their kits as well as developing their own testing kits to determine levels of pollution in multiple areas throughout the country.

The Friends of the Earth air kit consists of; a single use air monitoring tube, fixings and air pollution guide and instructions.

Source: Public Access via Independent

"Most people seem understandably keen to learn about air quality where they live, work, or where their children go to school. But more than 70 local Friends of the Earth groups have used multiple testing kits to uncover a more detailed picture of pollution, often in places lacking much in the way of official monitoring stations," Oliver Hayes, a Friends of the Earth air pollution campaigner told The Guardian.

The trend has been picked up by multiple clean air campaign projects, including Air Apparent UK, a Bristol based initiative working through Luftdaten, a source for air monitoring kits and sharing data of what users discover through using these kits.

One Bristol-based kit builder named Sam Prince, told The Guardian that relying on government-sourced data isn't always reliable, "The data from the government is useless as far as I am concerned ... so people are trying to collect more evidence to show the big problem of air quality. What I want to build is a map showing the pollution levels all over Bristol so you could avoid a certain street or area, for example, if you were cycling to work."

The results collected by these vigilante environmentalists has been shocking. Eastbourne resident Robert Price also told The Guardian's Sarah Marsh that his efforts had inspired him to start his project called Clean Air Eastbourne.

"I wanted to get my own data to see if the air was bad where I live. I've been running it for a month now, and three of the past seven days alone have breached World Health Organisation guidelines. UK/EU limits for particulate air pollution require a year's worth of data," he said.

Regarding tackling air pollution in other ways, companies are considering different options. French company Sea Bubbles is currently testing an electric water taxi along the Seine as a way to reduce cars on the roads and reduce both noise and pollution levels.

Meanwhile, in London, MBNA Thames Clippers are encouraging tourists and citizens to opt for a waterier form of transport by allowing payment for commuters using Oyster and contactless cards.

Despite these innovations, experts still muse that it might be a longer road to clean air than we think.

"It remains very challenging to scale up river transport and make it sustainable too," says Fausset. "But I'm an optimist, so I would not rule out people developing more sustainable systems using new kinds of propulsion and new fuel cells in the future."

Via: Luftdaten, Friends of the Earth, the Guardian

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UK Citizens are Tackling Dangerous Air Pollution With These Kits

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In UK cities like London, air pollution is a major concern. Londoners know the experience of getting home after a long day and upon blowing their nose, noticing black soot smudged all over the tissue. Now, citizens are taking monitoring the air around them into their own hands.

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New York city's water supply is delivered from upstate reservoirs comprised of 3 systems: the Croton, the Catskills, and the Deleware. The watersheds of these reservoirs flow through aqueducts to the city. 97% of this water goes to homes and businesses.

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Waterworks: How Cities Around the World Protect and Maintain Their Water Supplies

Turning on the faucet and expecting clean, purified water to flow through the tap is a modern-day luxury that many take for granted. In most industrialized cities around the world, drinking water is readily available and safe, but to maintain its sustainability, protecting its sources is vital.

Safeguarding ground water (aquifers), streams, rivers, reservoirs and lakes in the United States is crucial to the country's ongoing economic and social development, and most importantly, it is key to maintaining a healthy, thriving civilization.

While some cities have extensive water systems in place for people to drink, bathe and cook, others are working to improve or overhaul their methods to ensure that they're providing residents with high-quality H20.

New York City, U.S.

Each day, New York State gets more than 1.1 billion gallons of fresh, clean water delivered from large upstate reservoirs comprised of three systems: the Croton, the Catskills and the Delaware. For up to 125 miles, the watersheds of these reservoirs flow to the city through aqueducts, with 97 percent reaching homes and businesses through gravity alone. Only 3 percent needs to be pumped to a tap near you, according to the City of New York.

Combined, the reservoirs have a storage capacity of 550 billion gallons. The Croton system provides 10 percent of the city's drinking water supply, and it can be tapped if a drought occurs. The Catskills system, which provides 40 percent of the city's daily water needs, is made up of two reservoirs about 100 miles north of the city. The Delaware is the city's principal water source-its four-reservoir system is responsible for half of the city's daily water needs.

Chicago, U.S.

Chicago's pristine drinking water, sourced from Lake Michigan, goes through one of the best treatment and filtration systems in the U.S. The 10-step process starts when water from Lake Michigan enters the intake crib at depths of 20 to 30 feet, according to the City of Chicago. It's then followed by a series of processes, including purification and chemical treatments, to eliminate natural pollutants and other impurities. Next, filtered water flows into clear wells for its final chemical application before it flows from the reservoirs to the distribution system. Finally, through 12 pumping stations located throughout the city, water is pressurized, which makes it possible to flow to homes and businesses.

Toronto, Canada

Thanks to an abundance of freshwater resources, Canadians have quality water at their fingertips. In Toronto, Lake Ontario is the preferred source for premium drinking water. But, before it reaches residents' taps, the lake water goes through a seamless process, which includes purification, pumping, storage and distribution.

Toronto Water, the city's water division, provides potable water to the city's communities, which are then responsible for delivering the water directly to 3 million residents and businesses along Lake Ontario's northwestern shore, according to the City of Toronto. However, since Toronto is built on the side of an expansive sloping hill, getting water to its communities can be challenging. That's why the functionality of its four treatment plants, 18 pumping stations, 10 reservoirs and four elevated tanks must all work together to ensure that its residents have access to top-quality water.

Perth, Western Australia

Due to an increasingly drier climate, cities like Perth, the capital of Western Australia, can't afford to rely strictly on traditional sources for their water needs. Because of this, the city has been proactive in finding solutions to secure and supplement sustainable water for its citizens. For instance, nearly half of Perth's water is sourced through desalination, which doesn't depend on rain, according to the city's Water Corporation. Moreover, desalination removes salt and impurities from seawater, making it suitable for drinking.

Monrovia, Liberia

While bustling metropolises like New York City, Chicago and Toronto have outstanding water supply infrastructures in place, that's not the case in many parts of the world. In fact, more than 600 million people in the world still lack access to improved drinking water sources, according to a 2015 report by the World Health Organization/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme.

For example, in Monrovia, Liberia's capital, people are in need of clean and safe drinking water. Due to several factors, including poverty and the destruction of critical infrastructure, the country is in a water crisis.

The average Liberian doesn't have access to potable water. In fact, only 1 in 4 can access clean drinking water, according to the World Health Organization. Unfortunately, many Liberians must rely on obtaining water from wells and local vendors, which isn't ideal due to the lack of appropriate sanitization. Others must get their water from programs and organizations who strive to provide clean water to communities.

Whether water comes from reservoirs or wells, it's one of earth's most vital resources, and a precious commodity that's essential to our very existence.

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Waterworks: How Cities Around the World Protect and Maintain Their Water Supplies

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Turning on the faucet and expecting clean, purified water to flow out the tap is a modern-day luxury that many take for granted. In most industrialized cities around the world, drinking water is readily available and safe-but to maintain its sustainability, protecting its sources is vital.

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Green building designs and using less water By max

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Green building designs and using less water By max

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Some green buildings collect and recycle rain water to put it to use. Or simply just using toilets with less water in them. this can be done in anyone's home. https://www.greenbuildingsolutions.org/blog/water-efficiency/

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Using electric scooters means people can leave them anywhere which is really convenient instead of finding a parking spot when you drive a car. At night, when the scooters are out of juice, people can pick them up and get paid by the companies to charge them at home. An average electric scooter can run for 10 miles a day, which equates to a daily reduction 3,500 grams of carbon per scooter. Imagine if whole cities used scooters and how much energy would be saved in our communities.

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Last-mile distribution is a tricky task to solve. A bouquet of flowers ordered in London could grow on a farm in Colombia and ship 5,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to England within an efficient system...

But then, to arrive at the house in London -traveling the "last-mile" of the journey- requires an individualized schedule, route, and delivery person. Similarly, last-mile mobility remains a tricky problem.

We often spend a disproportionate amount of time driving just a mile or two in cities. You may get stuck in a traffic jam or have trouble finding parking, all while burning CO2 in non-electric vehicles.

A New Mobility Solution

Steve Jobs believed that electric scooters would make a bigger impact than personal computers and that cities would be redesigned around them. No joke.

And Jeff Bezos was a supporter and investor in the original Segway scooter released in 2001.

Technological innovation has given way to the current scooter models embraced by new mobility startups Lime and Bird. But the real catalyst for the rapid adoption of scooter riding comes from the companies' business model innovation.

The scooters are dockless, meaning that people can leave them anywhere, which is extremely convenient for last-mile mobility. At night, when the scooters are out of juice, people can pick them up and get paid by the companies to charge them at home.

Now electric scooters are popping up in cities across the U.S. and even in Europe. Uber and Lyft, the ones that started the rideshare revolution, are set to launch their own scooter platforms.

Not only do the scooters promote active outdoor lifestyles but they also advance sustainability.

How Scooters Could Change the World

According to the Lime app, every mile traveled mitigates roughly 350 grams of carbon. Let's imagine a world where riding scooters is the norm and make some projections...

Say a scooter runs for 10 miles a day on average. That equates to a daily reduction of 3,500 grams of carbon per scooter.

A city with 10,000 scooters would then reduce emissions by 35,000,000 grams, or 35 metric tons daily.

Scale that up across 500 cities, which is approximately the number of cities in the world with more than one million people, and we're now mitigating 17,500 metrics tons of carbon each day.

Let's factor in the amount of carbon burned for the electricity to charge those five million scooters:

Producing electricity for five million scooters around the world would emit 370 metric tons, which is less than 2% of CO2 produced by the same number of cars.
You can see why electricity is so much more environmentally friendly than gas.
With that electricity subtracted, the net amount of mitigated carbon equals 17,130 metric tons.

Let's reduce this number by 20% for people who would have walked and for chargers picking up scooters in their cars. Now we're looking at a total amount of 13,700 metric tons of CO2 mitigated by not driving a car.

That's the equivalent of taking 105,000 cars off the roads around the world, each day.

So there you have it. Steve Jobs was once again ahead of his time. Electric scooters hold potential to make a worldwide impact. But will that actually happen? What is your take on the electric scooter revolution? Tell us here!

Act on Climate

You know how chopsticks are a big waste of materials? Well, one company got creative and produces furniture products using some of the 100,000 chopsticks that are thrown away in Vancouver each day.

ChopValue customizes solutions that range from tabletops to wall patterns for sustainable patrons. Check out their website for examples of their work and to get your own bamboo furniture:

Join the Conversation

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The Environmental Impact of Electric Scooters

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Last-mile distribution is a tricky task to solve. A bouquet of flowers ordered in London could grow on a farm in Colombia and ship 5,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to England within an efficient system... But then, to arrive at the house in London -traveling the "last-mile" of the journey- requires an individualized schedule, route, and delivery person.

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Sustainable construction techniques like bamboo flooring, and peridot roofing. Bamboo while alive, takes and holds in more CO2 than other floorings. Roofings with Peridot in their makeup have the ability to absorb more than their weight in CO2 over their lifetime.

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Green Building Designs Implemented At Home by Phong

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Green Building Designs Implemented At Home by Phong

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When designing a home that is inspired to have the same purposes as a green building, it's important to consider the things that are going in there. Such as mattresses made with natural and organic materials or bed frames that are handmade

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Going completely carbon neutral is much easier said than done. But just because you can't make a full 180 on your current lifestyle doesn't mean you can't do your part to help better the planet. Are you using single-use plastic bags at the grocery store instead of reusable ones? Have you considered swapping out your current toothbrush for one made of bamboo? Remember, it's all about baby steps.

A great place to start is your home. Nowadays, you can source of-the-moment rugs, furniture, and even everyday kitchen essentials from purveyors who are committed to providing sustainable products. By shopping these brands, you can help make a small (but mighty!) difference, one pillow or chair at a time. It's an easy way to feel good while also making your space look good-and who doesn't want that?

We've rounded up seven home companies doing their part to protect the planet. Shop the home essentials below to make your space more eco-friendly not just on Earth Day, but every day.

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Get carefully curated content filled with inspiring homes from around the world, innovative new products, and the best in modern design

Avocado specializes in green mattress made with natural and organic materials-including 100 percent GOTS-certified organic wool and 100 percent natural latex from tree-tapped sources. They also offer eco-friendly pillows and bed frames, so you can fully kit out your bedroom with sustainable goods.

In honor of Earth Day, Food52 has put together a powerhouse lineup of eco-friendly kitchen and home essentials. Many of these goodies are under $50, and they're sure to cut down on single-use plastics in your kitchen. The list includes reusable silicone storage bags, recycled bamboo colanders, compostable wooden plates, and even biodegradable mixing bowls.

Next time you're scoping out West Elm, keep an eye out for its line of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-approved products. These dressers, nightstands, and dining tables are made of wood that's either been sourced from a forest that's managed in an environmentally-friendly way, or from postconsumer waste. Not to mention, all of these products have the clean, modernist style we've all come to expect and love from West Elm.

Dims is on a mission to change how we view eco-friendly shopping. Using only the best sustainable materials (FSC- and Greenguard-certified), the company has created stunning everyday home essentials, like coffee tables and trolleys, that retail at a very affordable price. It's proof that great design doesn't have to come with a premium price tag.

Parachute offers so much more than incredible bedding-although it's great for that too! The Oeko-Tex Certified brand also sells towels, rugs, decorative pillows, and tableware (you get the picture)-all made with an eco-conscious, responsible ethos. Parachute even takes its social responsibility one step further by donating some proceeds from certain purchases to nonprofits such as Love Leo Rescue and Nothing But Nets.

West Elm isn't the only major home goods store getting into the sustainability game. Crate and Barrel also has their own collection of FSC-certified goodies, including bookshelves, kitchen benches, and even a stunning geometric sideboard that will help elevate your current living and dining setup.

Soma is the gold standard of water filters. Its 10-Cup Pitcher features a sleek and thoughtful design, crafted with shatterproof BPA-free plastic and a bamboo handle that's made of 65% renewable plant-based materials. Plus, it looks so good sitting inside your fridge or on your kitchen countertop that you'll find yourself reaching for far more than just eight glasses of water a day.

Joybird pays it forward to the planet by partnering with local conservation groups focused on rejuvenating and rebuilding forests across the U.S. The company also commits to planting more trees than were used to manufacture any home goods you purchase.

There are plenty of everyday products we can't live without-deodorant, shampoo, and mouthwash among them. The downside: These products tend to come packaged in single-use plastic. Enter By Humankind-an eco-conscious retailer that sells personal care products without wasteful packaging. Once you run out of your deodorant or shampoo, simply order a refill and fill up the container you already own.

Lessening your carbon footprint is all about changing your lifestyle-and part of this process is making a habit out of conscious shopping. Grove Collaborative makes buying and refilling eco-friendly home products an easy, intuitive process. Simply buy your first order of home essentials (like hand soap, household cleaners, and soy candles), and after that, create a personalized refill schedule so you never run out of the products you need.

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Celebrate Earth Day With Our Top 10 Sustainable Home Brands

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Going completely carbon neutral is much easier said than done. But just because you can't make a full 180 on your current lifestyle doesn't mean you can't do your part to help better the planet. Are you using single-use plastic bags at the grocery store instead of reusable ones?

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Rain barrels are a good way to conserve the use of water by capturing water from your roof when it is raining that can be used to water lawns, gardens, and/or plants.

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Rain barrels capture water from a roof and hold it for later use such as on lawns, gardens or indoor plants. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water that flows from your property. It's a great way to conserve water and it's free water for use in your landscape. Many cities and towns distribute rain barrels to residents through annual sales. Other sources include online retailers, local home and garden supply stores. Cisterns are also used to "harvest" rain water. With a greater storage capacity they may be located above or below ground.
Rainwater Harvesting, U.S. EPA Green Infrastructure
Note: Remember that as rain water flows over a roof surface it can pick up pollutants such as bacteria from birds and other animals, and chemicals from roof materials - factors to consider when thinking about using rain barrel water on edible plantings. Some links with information and suggestions are included below:

(2 pp, 2.2 MB, Hedging Your Rain Barrel Bets, Sightline Institute, 2015 (PDF) About PDF) Exit

Rain Barrels Part IV: Testing and Applying Harvested Water to Irrigate a Vegetable Garden, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, 2013 Exit

(53 pp, 2.5 MB, The Importance of Operation and Maintenance for the Long-Term Success of Green Infrastructure, U.S. EPA, 2013 (PDF) About PDF)
Appendix A includes information about rain barrels and cisterns.

Information About Rain Barrels

Local resources

Connecticut

Rain Barrels, Reduce Runoff.org, Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Save the Sound Exit
Basic information about rain barrels and cisterns; links to some sources and a series of product reviews of different rain barrel styles.

Maine

Maine Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, Maine Department of Environmental Protection Exit
Volume III, Chapter 10 includes information about rain barrels.

Massachusetts

Rain Barrels and Other Water Conservation Tools, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Exit
Why rain barrels are important; how to install; how to make; and where to obtain a manufactured rain barrel.

Rain Barrels and Cisterns, Clean Water Toolkit, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Exit
Fact sheet describes these water harvesting practices, including their benefits and use, maintenance and other considerations.

New Hampshire

Rhode Island

Rain Barrels, Rhode Island Stormwater Solutions, University of Rhode Island Exit

Vermont

Capture & Reuse - Rain barrels and Cisterns, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Exit
Basic information along with some photos and illustrations

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Rain barrels capture water from a roof and hold it for later use such as on lawns, gardens or indoor plants. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water that flows from your property. It's a great way to conserve water and it's free water for use in your landscape.

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Costa Rica Small but Powerful Caroline Wills

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Costa Rica Small but Powerful Caroline Wills

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Costa Rica's national commitment to protection and preservation to the environment has put Costa Rica on the map to become a leading powerhouse in clean renewable energy. Costa Rica has produced 95% of its energy from clean renewable sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and etc. Costa Rica hopes to be completely carbon neutral in less than five years.
https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/11-countries-leading-the-charge-on-renewable-energy/

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No till farming prepares the land for farming without mechanically disturbing the soil. It also helps prevent soil erosion and leaves less runoff water.

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Sustainable agriculture is becoming increasingly important. However, farmers looking to improve sustainability at the farm are faced with the overwhelming challenge of producing high-yield, high-quality crops without undermining the natural systems and resources that crop productivity and environmental sustainability depend on. That challenge is becoming even more crucial when faced with today's growing world population, which is forecasted to reach 9.7 billion by 2050.

We've compiled a collaboration of some of the most popular sustainable agriculture techniques employed by farmers today. These techniques help farmers increase yields and crop resilience, gain control over weeds, pests, disease, erosion, and aid in producing high-quality soil.

#1 Using big data to create field-specific applications

Instead of treating a field uniformly, precision agriculture uses big data to prescribe site-specific treatments utilizing technology like GPS and GIS. This micromanagement of a farm allows farmers to (1) provide the ideal recipe for growing the best crops possible on a specific location based on the needs of the soil and crop and (2) minimize their environmental footprint by using fertilizers and pesticides only when needed.

#2 Adding microbial products to boost yields and crop resilience and reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides

Instead of adding nutrients, microbial products add living, beneficial microorganisms that naturally increase crop and soil health the way Mother Nature intended. While seen as a new technology, data from microbial products demonstrate that soil microbes have the power to affect big change in the agriculture industry.

For example, Holganix Agriculture (a Bio 800⁺ product) is a 100% organic microbial product, infused with over 800 species of diverse microbes to optimize your soils. Studies have shown that Holganix Agriculture increases yields and crop resilience when faced with stress, and reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides.

Want to learn more about results seen with Holganix Agriculture? Check out our case study "Boosting Yield and Degrees Brix at Alfalfa Farm Winery": http://www.holganix.com/blog/boosting-yield-and-degrees-brix-at-alfalfa-winery

#3 No-till/soil enrichment enhances soil health and decreases erosion and runoff

No-till farming helps prepare the land for crops without mechanically disturbing the soil. There are countless benefits that come with adopting no-till farming including a significant decrease in soil erosion, an increase in water infiltration and retention by the soil (resulting in less runoff of water that is often contaminated with fertilizers and pesticides) AND because the soil is not being frequently agitated, no-till farming promotes biodiversity in and around the soil.

#4 Cover crops alleviate compaction and protect from erosion

Planting cover crops such as clover, oats, or radishes help alleviate compaction so oxygen and water can sufficiently flow in the soil. It also adds organic matter to the soil when tilled under for the next farming season and helps hold soil in place, reducing crusting and protecting against erosion from wind and rain.

For additional information regarding cover crop benefits, watch the video below by The Soil Health Institute. If viewing this blog via email, click here to view the video.

# 5 Crop rotation naturally curbs pest problems

Crop rotation allows farmers to curb pest problems naturally. Many pests have preferences for specific crops; therefore, the continuous growth of the same crop guarantees pests a steady food supply. By growing different crops in succession in the same field, you help break that food supply and control pests.

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Top 5 Techniques to Improve Sustainability at The Farm

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Sustainable agriculture is becoming increasingly important. However, farmers looking to improve sustainability at the farm are faced with the overwhelming challenge of producing high-yield, high-quality crops without undermining the natural systems and resources that crop productivity and environmental sustainability depend on.

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People in Seattle can now pay to have a limited time access to ride bikes in the city and return them after their use which limits them to have to use their cars.

https://www.seattlebikeblog.com/seattle-bike-share-guide/

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Reducing Car Use by Making City Transport Free -Adrian Smith

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Reducing Car Use by Making City Transport Free -Adrian Smith

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The air quality of a city is hampered by the amount of driven vehicles that take up the roads. A simple yet effective solution that Germany is considering is making the transport free to use, widely reducing emissions from cars and such.

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Amazon has build spheres in Seattle  that grows plants to increase biodiversity and store carbon dioxide the city produces
https://www.seattlespheres.com/

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Benefits of Green Buildings On Cities by Phong

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Benefits of Green Buildings On Cities by Phong

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These buildings have proven to save a lot of energy as well as money, They also provide jobs that offer a healthy and clean environment for the workers.

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The world over, evidence is growing that green buildings bring multiple benefits.

They provide some of the most effective means to achieving a range of global goals, such as addressing climate change, creating sustainable and thriving communities, and driving economic growth.

Highlighting these benefits, and facilitating a growing evidence base for proving them, is at the heart of what we do as an organisation.

The benefits of green buildings can be grouped within three categories: environmental, economic and social. Here, we provide a range of facts and statistics from various third-party sources that present these benefits.
Environmental
One of the most important types of benefit green buildings offer is to our climate and the natural environment. Green buildings can not only reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment, by using less water, energy or natural resources, but they can - in many cases - have a positive impact on the environment (at the building or city scales) by generating their own energy or increasing biodiversity.

At a global level:

The building sector has the largest potential for significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to other major emitting sectors - UNEP, 2009.

This emissions savings potential is said to be as much as 84 gigatonnes of CO2 (GtCO2) by 2050, through direct measures in buildings such as energy efficiency, fuel switching and the use of renewable energy - UNEP, 2016.

The building sector has the potential to make energy savings of 50% or more in 2050, in support of limiting global temperature rises to 2°C (above pre-industrial levels) - UNEP, 2016.

At a building level:

Green buildings achieving the Green Star certification in Australia have been shown to produce 62% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than average Australian buildings, and 51% less potable water than if they had been built to meet minimum industry requirements.

Green buildings certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) results in energy savings of 40 - 50% and water savings of 20 - 30% compared to conventional buildings in India.

Green buildings achieving the Green Star certification in South Africa have been shown to save on average between 30 - 40% energy and carbon emissions every year, and between 20 - 30% potable water every year, when compared to the industry norm.

Green buildings achieving the LEED certification in the US and other countries have been shown to consume 25 per cent less energy and 11 per cent less water, than non-green buildings.

Economic
Green buildings offer a number of economic or financial benefits, which are relevant to a range of different people or groups of people. These include cost savings on utility bills for tenants or households (through energy and water efficiency); lower construction costs and higher property value for building developers; increased occupancy rates or operating costs for building owners; and job creation. Since the publication of WorldGBC's groundbreaking 2013 report, The Business Case for Green Building, we have sought to strengthen the link between green buildings and the economic benefits they can offer.

At a global level:

Global energy efficiency measures could save an estimated €280 to €410 billion in savings on energy spending (and the equivalent to almost double the annual electricity consumption of the United States) - European Commission, 2015.

At a country level:

At a building level:

Building owners report that green buildings - whether new or renovated - command a 7 per cent increase in asset value over traditional buildings - Dodge Data & Analytics, 2016.
Social
Green building benefits go beyond economics and the environment, and have been shown to bring positive social impacts too. Many of these benefits are around the health and wellbeing of people who work in green offices or live in green homes.

Our Better Places for People project focuses on creating buildings which are not only good for the environment, but also support healthier, happier and more productive lives.

WorldGBC and the Green Building Council of South Africa established a joint project to develop a framework to enable complex socio-economic issues to be integrated into any green building rating system in the world.

The world over, evidence is growing that green buildings bring multiple benefits.

They provide some of the most effective means to achieving a range of global goals, such as addressing climate change, creating sustainable and thriving communities, and driving economic growth.

Highlighting these benefits, and facilitating a growing evidence base for proving them, is at the heart of what we do as an organisation.

The benefits of green buildings can be grouped within three categories: environmental, economic and social. Here, we provide a range of facts and statistics from various third-party sources that present these benefits.
Environmental
One of the most important types of benefit green buildings offer is to our climate and the natural environment. Green buildings can not only reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment, by using less water, energy or natural resources, but they can - in many cases - have a positive impact on the environment (at the building or city scales) by generating their own energy or increasing biodiversity.

At a global level:

The building sector has the largest potential for significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to other major emitting sectors - UNEP, 2009.

This emissions savings potential is said to be as much as 84 gigatonnes of CO2 (GtCO2) by 2050, through direct measures in buildings such as energy efficiency, fuel switching and the use of renewable energy - UNEP, 2016.

The building sector has the potential to make energy savings of 50% or more in 2050, in support of limiting global temperature rises to 2°C (above pre-industrial levels) - UNEP, 2016.

At a building level:

Green buildings achieving the Green Star certification in Australia have been shown to produce 62% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than average Australian buildings, and 51% less potable water than if they had been built to meet minimum industry requirements.

Green buildings certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) results in energy savings of 40 - 50% and water savings of 20 - 30% compared to conventional buildings in India.

Green buildings achieving the Green Star certification in South Africa have been shown to save on average between 30 - 40% energy and carbon emissions every year, and between 20 - 30% potable water every year, when compared to the industry norm.

Green buildings achieving the LEED certification in the US and other countries have been shown to consume 25 per cent less energy and 11 per cent less water, than non-green buildings.

Economic
Green buildings offer a number of economic or financial benefits, which are relevant to a range of different people or groups of people. These include cost savings on utility bills for tenants or households (through energy and water efficiency); lower construction costs and higher property value for building developers; increased occupancy rates or operating costs for building owners; and job creation. Since the publication of WorldGBC's groundbreaking 2013 report, The Business Case for Green Building, we have sought to strengthen the link between green buildings and the economic benefits they can offer.

At a global level:

Global energy efficiency measures could save an estimated €280 to €410 billion in savings on energy spending (and the equivalent to almost double the annual electricity consumption of the United States) - European Commission, 2015.

At a country level:

At a building level:

Building owners report that green buildings - whether new or renovated - command a 7 per cent increase in asset value over traditional buildings - Dodge Data & Analytics, 2016.
Social
Green building benefits go beyond economics and the environment, and have been shown to bring positive social impacts too. Many of these benefits are around the health and wellbeing of people who work in green offices or live in green homes.

Our Better Places for People project focuses on creating buildings which are not only good for the environment, but also support healthier, happier and more productive lives.

WorldGBC and the Green Building Council of South Africa established a joint project to develop a framework to enable complex socio-economic issues to be integrated into any green building rating system in the world.

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The benefits of green buildings | World Green Building Council

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The world over, evidence is growing that green buildings bring multiple benefits. They provide some of the most effective means to achieving a range of global goals, such as addressing climate change, creating sustainable and thriving communities, and driving economic growth.