Consumerism is reaching everyone, even traditional societies are becoming increasingly burdened with an overload of waste and little appreciation for traditional crafts and goods. By upcycling we can demonstrate that old materials can be reused into new functions, adding value and beauty. It can become an art form, and be a source of income and of gathering community, in workshops and exchanging knowledge. … 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
Tool for detecting government spyware Amnesty anti-spyware app tells you if the government is watching you
A software tool to enable journalists, human rights and others defenders to scan their computers for known surveillance spyware has been released by Amnesty International and a coalition of human rights and technology organizations. The app was developed by German security researcher Claudio Guarnieri, and it's launched by Amnesty in Nov 2014 in partnership with civil rights and consumer protection organisations Digitale Gesellschaft from Germany, Electronic Frontier Foundation from the US and … Read more
Bank for children, by children Helping impoverished children save money for crises
Sarjan Bank bank at Sankalit Nagar in the neglected western neighbourhood of Juhapura, India, is proving highly popular with local pre-teens - who are also helping to run it. Operated by a non-profit organisation, the bank has provided families that have fallen on hard financial times, a beacon to rely on. As it allows children to save money, and also has teens that help run the bank, it sparks the economic intelligence of children, while they learn how money can be used to create a better … Read more
Rating websites against medical corruption How technology can reduce corruption in health sector
Corruption has left many unable to trust doctors, especially in India. Several online health marketplaces launched in 2013 feature doctor ratings similar to the popular US website rateMDs.com, but are suited specifically for mobile phones so that people without computers can easily use them (see links below). Patients can compare the quality of each bidder by checking ratings and reviews. … Read more
Benefits of a Vegetarian / Vegan diet A life style choice with big benefits
Many animals are raised in cruel and inhumane conditions and live brutally short lives to meet the human demand for meat. However, people can live healthier and with a significantly lower environmental impact by reducing meat consumption. It has been estimated by the UN that 18% of Climate Change can be attributed to animals raised for meat and some research has even suggested figures as high as 51%. Excessive numbers of farm animals also require too much land and contribute to deforestation, … Read more
How to Choose the Bicycle for You Reducing dependency on fossil fuels
Road bikes, tourers, mountain bikes, hybrids - how do you choose? Selecting the right bike for you and buying the best you can afford will reduce your dependence of fossil fuelled transport, help you keep fit and give you hours of enjoyment. The following links describe the qualities of various types of bike and how they perform. … Read more
Attracting children to EcoCenter Designing a playground at the entrance of the EcoCenter
Ecological activities are not always a popular choice in the rural areas of Palestine. It is a challenge to attract children to come and participate in the activities and to appreciate the value of a more sustainable life. This EcoCenter created a playground at its entrance, in order to attract children that come every day, after school, and in the weekends. While they are coming to play, they become familiar with the Center's different projects, they have a chance to use the ecological … Read more
The Natural Step Framework For Sustainable Development A science based, holistic approach to defining and understanding sustainability
The Natural Step framework is * Based on a scientific consensus of the 4 basic principle ways in which humanity is destroying the biosphere. *Uses these principles as a lens to gain a clear understanding of how a project (business, product,community) is contributing to unsustainability. * Generates a future vision of how the project would look if it was complying with these 4 principles and was 'sustainable' * Allows for cross disciplinary communication using a common language that brings the … Read more
Dance with your enemy Dancing workshops for peace
In 2013 Pierre Dulaine, world champion ballroom dancer now turned dance instructor, traveled to Jaffa, Tel-Aviv to teach a 10-week course in Latin dance with students from several segregated schools. Dulaine spent getting the Palestinian and Jewish children to dance with one another in a ballroom competition. … Read more
