The Sahara Forest Project is a scheme that aims to provide fresh water, food and renewable energy in hot, arid regions as well as re-vegetating areas of uninhabited desert. This proposal combines saltwater-cooled greenhouses with Solar Power technologies, either directly using Photovoltaic (PV) or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP) and technologies for desert revegetation. It is claimed that these technologies together will create a sustainable and profitable source of energy, food, … Read more
Waterboxx Helps Green the Deserts A Simple Device to Support Growing in Desert Environments
The Groasis Waterboxx is an instrument that supports plants and trees to survive in difficult circumstances without using groundwater or electricity. It collects water by catching rainwater, and also by producing and catching water from condensation. It subsequently distributes the collected water over an extended period, to the tree growing in the center of the Waterboxx. Furthermore, it stimulates the capillary formation of the soil; prevents the evaporation of groundwater; steadies the … Read more
Pedal Powered Washing Machine Forget the Gym - Do the Laundry
With a little ingenuity it is possible to hook up domestic machines to a bicycle. This example will not only do the laundry but also help you to keep fit and will no doubt be a novelty to get visitors talking about sustainability. … Read more
Electric Isle of Eigg Island Goes 100% Renewable
On 1st February 2008, the Isle of Eigg entered a new era, with the switching on of the island electrification project, which makes 24 hour power available for the first time to all residents and businesses on the island. Until then individuals were entirely dependent upon making their own power and the clattering of generators was always to be heard. Now, the generators are silent and suddenly they have leapt to the forefront of electricity generation using renewable energy resources. The … Read more
WWOOF Working Exchange on Organic Farms
WWOOF has had various meanings over the years from the original Working Weekends on Organic Farms to the more recent World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. However as a loose organisation it's purpose remains to bring together organic farmers and volunteers who often help on the farms for short stays in exchange for food and lodgings. The exchange provides labour for farmers when they most need it while the volunteer may be wanting to learn skills or simply to find short term accommodation … Read more
Take the Train (leave the plane) The lower impact way to travel
Flying has lost its glamour. Many of us now want a more rewarding, low-stress alternative to flying, which brings you closer to the world you live in and reduces your contribution to climate change by at least 75%. It's time to rediscover real travel by train or ship, where the journey itself is an adventure. The site below explain how to travel comfortably & affordably by train or ferry where you might have thought that air was the only option. … Read more
Africa’s Great Green Wall A 7000km Wall of Trees Reverses Desertification
The Great Green Wall of the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative is a planned project to plant a wall of trees across Africa at the southern edge of the Sahara desert as a means to prevent desertification. It was developed by the African Union to address the detrimental social, economic and environmental impacts of land degradation and desertification in the Sahel and the Sahara. Crossing 11 nations this is a political as well as a physical and economic challenge and progress currently varies from … Read more
Solar water filter Solarizer used in ecovillage Aldea Feliz
To clean the water sufficiently for drinking ecovillage Aldea Feliz uses a UV filter system. Water is taken from the spring, which is the most clean, or from rain or tap. To filter out any residues like algae, leaves or insects it is first passed through a cotton filter. It is then passed into 4 liter jars and placed on the solarizer panel. The jars are not filled completely to the top, to prevent the lid from rusting. The water is filtered by UV from sunlight, and needs a certain amount of … Read more
Living plants create electricity Simple technology to generate power from living plants
Dutch company powers streetlights with living plants. In Hembrug, Netherlands more than 300 LED lights were illuminated by the Dutch company Plant-e in a new energy project called “Starry Sky.” Although the bulbs were ordinary, the electricity running through them derived from a new process that harnesses the power of living plants. Plant-e’s technology is the first to produce electricity from plants without damaging them. … Read more
Making roads ice-free Clearing the road with green alternatives to the salt, sand and chemicals
Cold-climate researchers at Washington State University are clearing the road with green alternatives to the salt, sand and chemicals typically used for highway snow and ice control. One of these alternatives is using leftover barley residue from vodka distilleries. … Read more
