Alternative Power: Hydroelectric Potential

Image by Ontario Power Generation

When it comes to large-scale alternative power, hydroelectric plants are currently the most common – supplying more than 80% of the word’s renewable energy.  While hydro power is much cleaner and more cost-efficient than the generation of electricity using fossil fuels, there are a number of disadvantages including the threat of dam failures, disturbance to the natural environment, and some greenhouse gas emissions.

Small hydroelectric power systems, however, create fewer threats and can be an excellent alternative energy source for residential use.  Could small-scale hydro power be a viable option for your home?  Keep reading to learn more…

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The World’s Most Amazing Wind Farms

Wind farm development is playing a huge role in a clean energy future.  While mass wind power may offer a beneficial energy alternative, the construction of wind farms creates a great deal of controversy – from the destruction of natural habitats and dangers to birds and bats to the actual effectiveness of wind as an energy source.  Some even argue that wind farms are ugly, disrupting the scenic coastlines and natural beauty of the world.  Take a look at these wind farm pictures and let us know your thoughts – ugly or simply amazing?

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11 Pieces of Great Growing Green ‘Furniture’

Got a green thumb and a hankering to get into the furniture-making biz? Take the hassle out of finding green furniture for your home by growing your own.

Building furniture from the ground up

Imagine living green bus benches and playgrounds filling our cities. It’s a bit idyllic, but within the realm of possibility with Plantware’s innovative designs. Ultra practical yet totally biodegradable, Plantware’s award-winning designs could be the way of the future. The living KinderFroest in particular has tremendous benefits: grown from Ficus trees, it’s self-healing, requires only sunlight and rain to produce, is earthquake safe, and produces a ton of oxygen over its long life. What better place for your children to spend their time?

Melding whimsical imagination with growing green furniture design, artists Peter and Becky work with wild plum and black cheery trees to shape them into both living and harvested furniture. The process can take up to 10 years, and you can even join Becky and Peter to collaborate in the making of your own pieces!

In another take on the tree-to-chair concept, a 60 year old Mr. Wu has successfully grown his own chair. While perhaps not the most attractive chairs we’ve seen, these sitters are certainly sustainable. Formed by bending pliable, still-growing elm trees into his desired shape, Mr. Wu prunes and fusses over his chairs (six currently in production) for up to five years each, after which they are “harvested.” This chair “designer” lives in Shenyang City, Liaoning province, China where he extols the virtues of growing furniture.

Made from natural wood and infused with growing mushrooms’ spawn, these are a true demonstration of biodegradable furniture. Designed by Shinwei Rhoda Yen, this stool will slowly break down as the wood is consumed by the mushrooms.

Nestle your toes in real, live moss after your next shower with one of these growing bath mats. Designed by Nguyen La Chanh, they’re made from plastazote (an imputrescible foam) stuffed with ball moss, island moss, and forest moss. You provide irrigation as you drip on it coming out of the shower.

Perhaps a little less comfy that the preceding options, the Venus Chair is grown not from living green plants, but rather out of natural crystals in a water bath. It’s up for the Brit Insurance Designs of the Year 2009.

Grassy ass outdoor furniture

The Lawnchair by Fung+Blatt Architects take earthy to a whole new level. Made from renewable steel and rubber, and “upholstered” with a layer of sod, this lounger allows you the feeling of a lazy afternoon in the grass without the discomfort of a less ergonomic random patch of ground. And in case you were worried about keeping it green, it comes equipped with a moisture distribution system.

Like something out of a Seuss book, these couches, chairs, and benches help you create a truly green space, even in a concrete jungle. Peddy furniture by Mindscape can be grown by just about anyone and requires only the occasional clipping to keep them neat and trim.

Adding a green touch to old pieces

The wacky embellishment of these furniture pieces by Bob Gromofsky Designs gives a whole new meaning to bringing the outdoors in. We especially enjoy the grassy treatment given to the lamp, although aren’t quite sure what that’ll do to the diffusing quality of the shade.

Your personal care routine has never been this green! The garden powder room displayed at a past New England Flower Show demonstrated how to turn the common vanity desk and chair into a growing work of art.

And from the realm of the historical memorablia (we couldn’t resist!) comes the CH- CH- CH- CHIEF Special Edition Chia Obama for the mantle of every American home. Emblazened with Obama’s “Yes We Can!” your growing “happy” or “determined” Obama head will add to your green decorating scheme

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Greenwashing H20: WTF is ‘Sustainable Water’?

Water…it’s pure, it’s natural, and it’s abundant – right?

Well, not exactly. While nearly 75% of the world is covered with water, only about 3% is fit for human consumption – and two-thirds of that is found in glaciers and icecaps. That leaves just 1% of the planet’s water for our own use. Yes, water is a rare, valuable, and necessary resource — but is it really worth $20 a bottle?

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Sustainble Death: Going Green Right into Your Grave

Who would have thought – death is the latest way to go green?!

For many eco-conscience individuals, it’s just not enough to live a green lifestyle. Sustainable death, green burials, and the possibilities of renewable energy options via death are all emerging trends to take environmentalism to the grave.

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