Eco-Vlog

Turtle Bay weaves Thailand’s lush landscape with a quite literally  green design , creating a cluster of cozy turtle shell-shaped structures. Inspired by the existing natural context of jungle trees, expansive lotus ponds and wild peacocks, a mixed-use ecotourism destination was formed. Architect Sarawoot Jansaeng-Aram from Dersyn Studio Co., Ltd. designed Turtle Bay to become a unique tourist destination. The architecture echoes the familiar  Thai  overwater bungalow but innovates with an original design. Completed this year, it sits in Hua Hin, one of Thailand’s most famous seaside areas.  Related: Off-grid bamboo bungalow embraces nature in Thailand Considered to be a main tourist attraction, the site is located near the Khao Tao Reservoir, which serves as inspiration for the unique shape. “Khao” is Thai for  mountain , while “Tao” translates to  turtle . Thus, the design resembles the sacred animal that symbolizes good fortune, longevity and prospe...

Five young activists are camping outside the White House on a hunger strike to demand climate action . The activists demand that President Joe Biden keep his promise to “build back better.” The five activists (Kidus Girma, 26, Ema Govea, 18, Paul Campion, 24, Julia Paramo, 24, and Abby Leedy, 20) say they will not eat until the president fulfills his promise to Americans. “We’ve committed to not eating until you deliver on your climate commitments in the Build Back Better Act,” the activists said in a statement. Related: How the Sunrise Movement is changing the climate activism game The young activists, part of the Sunrise Movement , have been on a hunger strike for over a week now. They check their blood pressure three times each day and use wheelchairs to prevent falling and fainting. So far, one activist, Girma, has been hospitalized due to dizziness, blurred vision, and nausea. “Millions of people are going to die if they don’t do this — people our age, in our lifetimes, in cl...

In a brilliant marketing move consistent with listening to its customers, LEGO  has issued a handbook to save the world. It will publish just in time for the COP26 climate summit starting in Glasgow on Sunday. Tim Brooks, LEGO’s vice-president of environmental responsibility, said the project intends to “give  children  a voice” at COP26. “Children are demanding that they and future generations are front of mind when it comes to creating policy,” Brooks said, as reported by The Guardian. Related: LEGO responds to kids’ worries about single-use plastics To devise the plan to save  Earth , LEGO involved more than 6,000 children, aged between 8 and 18, from all over the world. The children told researchers that global warming was their top concern. One in ten reported thinking about the environment every day, while about half considered environmental problems weekly. The handbook, designed to look like a LEGO instruction booklet, boiled down the children’s input int...

The PRS House in Mereville, France , a 150 square meter of living space, is an answer to sustainability. The design brought forward by Quinze Architecture does not only bring humanity close to nature, but also retains nature in its pristine form. The first and most impressive fact about the PRS house is its location. The choice of having a living space sandwiched within the woods might be questionable to others, but a view of the PRS would change that perception. It is not an Australopithecus living home, but rather a modern space designed to correspond to natural spaces. Its shape and volume also make it look as if it was part of the natural features that grew with the land. Related: Bamboo Pavilion brings people together with natural design The other notable feature is its proximity to water. Being at the center of a valley with a river below, the views are breathtaking. The beauty of it all is that neither the structure of the house, nor the materials used to build it, impact...

The industrial age offered economic benefits and product convenience to citizens around the globe. But the continued increase in industry pollution and waste is wreaking havoc on our ocean waters. To curb these effects, Oceanic Global began in 2017 as an international non-profit organization aimed at providing education and encouragement towards protecting the Earth’s oceans. Its mission has spread across individuals, communities and industries around the world and now has hubs in New York, London, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Tulum and Hong Kong. Now, Oceanic Global has launched a new standard for sustainable action that any business can strive to achieve.  Called the Blue Standard, this first-of-its-kind measurement for industry accountability provides businesses feedback about their environmental impact while it seeks to find balance between industry and nature. It measures activities such as the use of single-use plastics and encourages companies to make more sustainable choices...

Researchers are in a race against time to salvage Georgia peaches as global warming worsens. The fragile fruits are synonymous with Georgia, but that relationship may end if scientists don’t find a workable solution soon. For a plant that relies on hundreds of chill hours to fruit, climate change can be devastating. Peaches were first introduced in Georgia by a Franciscan monk in 1751. Since then, the fruit has thrived in the state, thanks to its favorable climate and soil profile. All that could change as climate change threatens its existence. Related: SCAD students fight food insecurity in Georgia with organic farming and beekeeping Since the 1960s, Georgia and the South overall have experienced a 5 degree Fahrenheit rise in average temperatures. With the trend expected to continue, peach farming is in danger. There are different types of peaches, but they all require some amount of chill weather to be fruitful. On average, Georgia peaches need 650 to 800 chill hours each year...

The design for Tagh Behesht, located in Mash-had, Iran, is a marriage between culture, history and the modern needs of the citizens. The multi-use commercial space is a combination of tiered gardens , offices and a plan for the future, with the potential to become a regional hub. RVAD Architecture Studio started the project by evaluating the immemorial connection between Iran and the bazaars prevalent in the area from the first days of human presence. Since the structure of bazaars is central to the history and culture of the people, elements were pulled from well-known examples such as Sar-Shoor, Farsh and Reza. Related: Colorful rammed earth domes decorate an island in Iran The most notable characteristic reflecting these bazaars is the porch-like entrance hall that invites visitors inside. Arches throughout the space are another architectural element borrowed from the bazaar’s landscape, contributing to the  natural light  in the building. Spaced out between the level...

Whether enjoying earl grey for tea time or serving chai during book club , the vast array of teas in the world is intriguing and ever changing. For those who enjoy a regular or even infrequent spot of tea should also pay attention to the quality of the product and the sustainability of the packaging. Oteas has you covered on both accounts.  Oteas is a Canadian brand, presumably a name stemming from the fact that it offers a wide variety of “O”rganic “Teas” (Oteas). They offer certified vegan, GMO-free and gluten-free assortments. Each blend is made from whole leaves rather than crushed. In addition to a focus on providing a high-quality beverage, it’s mission since its start is to remain committed to sustainable actions, saying, “We recognize the effects of our current climate crisis and knew as a small business we needed to be the change.” Related: XpreSole Panto waterproof boots are made from coffee grounds Oteas are also hand-blended with sustainably-sourced, plant-based i...

The Guardian published an interesting opinion piece yesterday about who is really responsible for climate change . According to the progressive U.K. newspaper, the average person doesn’t need to feel so guilty about ruining the world. Mostly, it’s the fault of a dozen rich, white American men. Instead of blaming ourselves, working and middle-class people need to band together and hold the supervillains accountable. Not surprisingly, oil execs made the list. The Guardian deems Chevron CEO Mike Wirth a “notorious corporate polluter” and a greenwasher. Under CEO Darren Woods, Exxon is a climate denier and the fourth largest carbon emitter of any investor-owned company around the world. Attorney Ted Boutrous, a partner at Gibson Dunn law firm, got his villain status for defending oil companies. He insists that everybody shares equal blame for climate change and that oil companies are being unfairly singled out. Related: 60% of Americans blame fossil fuel companies for climate change Th...

The jackfruit has an otherworldly look. You may have sampled it at some point in your life or you’ve likely walked past it in the supermarket. What is this strange fruit and how can you get more of it into your vegan diet ? What is jackfruit? Jackfruit is a tropical fruit, but you won’t easily confuse it with the likes of pineapple, kiwi or mango. Instead, it has a look, flavor and texture unique to its own. Although commonly grown in regions of Asia, Africa and South America, jackfruit is readily available in most major markets. If you can’t track any down, look for canned or dried variations to get you started. Note: some jackfruits are packed in water , while others are combined with a sweet syrup. When using canned jackfruit as a meat substitute, go with those packed in brine or water. This is a huge fruit, so when in season, you may find a whole one fresh or sold in sections like a watermelon. Related: Enjoy these delicious hot vegan Starbucks drinks this fall What’s the appe...

It isn’t a rule. Those are just movies. Work isn’t supposed to have you unhealthy and mentally drained. You don’t have to be that staff who constantly goes to the office with a bag full of tissues, a running nose, and chills. You don’t have to be constantly stressed out and anxious and edgy in the habit of mumbling to yourself about how much you hate your job and what it does to you. You can be perfectly healthy at work, living a hale, hearty, and balanced life. Oh, it’s not so hard. If you need help on how to achieve this, I compiled a list of 15 simple ways to stay healthy at work. 1. Have Breakfast Yes, it’s that simple— have breakfast . There’s a reason why this meal has been tagged “the most important meal of the day.” Breakfast is what replenishes your body’s nutrient reserves after a long night. Breakfast means more glucose in your blood—more vitamins, more proteins, and more water. Having more glucose in your blood helps increase your brain power, which means you don’t have...

Lin Architecture has created a structure that puts humanity, social life and interaction at the core. Bamboo Pavilion is a beautiful outdoor structure that invites people to socialize. Located on the beautiful island of Chongming, the pavilion started as a social experiment. Through this project, the designers sought to prove that a beautiful structure can promote socialization. Bamboo Pavilion’s main goal was to activate rural field public spaces. The project attracted designers and students from far and wide in an attempt to build something that would attract people and look magnificent while remaining sustainable. Bamboo is one of the strongest construction materials, and the natural material doesn’t contaminate the local environment. Related: This Brazilian home is made of rammed earth and bamboo The pavilion stands out in both size and design. It is attractive both day and night. During the day, the white bamboo structure can be seen from a distance thanks to its reflective...