Eco-Vlog

Jennifer Doudna, one of the scientists behind CRISPR gene editing, says the technology could be used to tackle climate change , among other major issues facing humanity. At the moment, the technology is widely being tried by researchers in clinical studies. CRISPR gene editing technology allows the editing of genomes of living organisms. Through modification, researchers can come up with genes that are more adaptable to the environment and also ones that can support the ecosystem as it is.  Related: Nitrogen tracking tech may help cut greenhouse gas emissions Doudna spoke in an interview with the  MIT Technology Review . She said that the technology could be used to enhance the capacity of microbial organisms in the soil or water “for carbon capture.” “There’s been a lot of focus on clinical medical uses of CRISPR,” she told MIT Tech as reported by Futurism. “However, I suspect that over the next decade, when we think about global impact and impact on daily lives, ...

America’s oldest known archaeological site is only 27 miles southwest of Pittsburgh . This conveniently located attraction is known as Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village . Of course, oldest sites are debatable, and new dating techniques will continue to refine human understanding of our history . But it’s safe to say this rock shelter in Washington County, Pennsylvania is old. It may have been inhabited continuously between 16,000 and 19,000 years. This guesstimate hinges on one piece of bark, so stay tuned. Related: Four-legged prehistoric snake offers clues about the reptile’s evolution In 1955, a farmer named Albert Miller found the site on his family farm in Avella. One day, he looked down a groundhog hole and spotted what appeared to be a prehistoric tool. He kept his find on the down low for 18 years before connecting with archaeology professor Jim Adovasio. Adovasio began working at the site in the mid-1970s. The Mercyhurst University archaeologist has likened Mea...

PANGEA is a company on a mission. They want to not only clean up the environment, but use trash cleaned up to create recycled products. They have now achieved one important goal: using 100% recycled and reclaimed trash plastic to create their Eco-Jackets. We’ve written about the PANGEA jacket before, and the company has made big strides since then. With a growing line of products and an impressive list of accomplishments helping clean some of the world’s dirtiest rivers , PANGEA is going places. Related: PANGEA Movement’s Eco-jacket uses 100% recycled materials The problem is that 11 million tons of trash ends up in the oceans every single year. It is a growing problem that kills 100 million marine animals, damages coral reefs and contaminates the food chain with toxic chemicals. As a result, PANGEA’s approach is to tackle the problem at the source: rivers that carry pollution to the ocean. The company uses trash-catching barriers to clean five tons of trash per month out of ...

Regenerative farming may well be the answer to many environmental and food supply issues. CIBO, a science-based technology company, developed a system to support growers making the transition to regenerative agriculture. Called CIBO Grower, the technology connects farmers with incentive programs they may qualify for.  In a press release, the company said, “The new application helps farmers and their trusted advisors easily navigate and participate in the evolving landscape of incentive programs such as carbon credit markets, Scope 3 emissions reduction and premiums for regenerative and low-carbon grains.” Related: Why regenerative agriculture will reverse climate change Through a simple process, farmers register for CIBO Grower and securely enter data about their fields and management practices. They are then immediately matched with applicable programs. The data about the programs not only ensures eligibility, but allows growers to understand the financial aspects of variou...

Featuring both function and visual interest, the Living Grid House stands out as an example of green design . L Architects, under the guidance of primary Architect Lim Shing Hui and Architectural Assistant Tse Lee Shing, developed the structure with a focus on the connection between natural space and living space. The notable characteristic of the Living Grid House is the “grid-and-planter” skin. It is a way of seamlessly housing copious plants into the structure of the building.  Related: Eco-friendly design elements drive Choice Headquarters As the architects phrased it in their project release, “The layering of a grid -and-planter skin at the front elevation presents an unusual mien as it questions the fundamental relationship between structure and surface, function and aesthetics, nature and dwelling.”   Located on the waterfront of Sentosa Cove in Singapore, a natural environment surrounds the family home. The passive design elements increase privacy from ne...

Have you ever thought about a tiny home ? How about a modern style mobile home you can place on any property? There’s now a modern style sustainable option called KEU that is packed with the latest in green tech to minimize environmental impact. KEU, a 37-square-meter mobile home , systematized the construction process to create an efficient home you can order to try. There are four “collections,” or models, named after the seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. KEU homes all have steel structures, ventilated aluminum facades and 100 millimeters of insulation. The structure, built on a double-axle with four wheels, can be moved to various sites. Windows are all aluminum with safe glass. Related: Ecocapsule launches SPACE for semi off-grid living Furthermore, each KEU home come with multiple amenities, including a ducted air conditioner, 55-inch Samsung Smart TV, LED lighting , ventilation system and sofa bed. It costs from 69,500 to 83,000 Euros. Additionally, you can add ...

Twitter announced through a World Earth Day post on their  blog last Friday that it will no longer allow advertisements that go against the scientific consensus on climate change . Advertisers that use scientific language on the platform must conform with the current agreed-upon language by scientific bodies. In the process, all climate change deniers will no longer be able to advertise on the platform. “We believe that climate denialism shouldn’t be monetized on Twitter , and that misrepresentative ads shouldn’t detract from important conversations about the climate crisis,” the company stated in the post.  Related: Teen tracks Elon Musk’s jet, brings attention to pollution This is not the first step the giant social media company took to stop climate deniers. Previously, the company rejected all posts contradicting climate change through the  inappropriate content policy . Although the approach worked for a while, the company has now formalized the process. The co...

The new expansion of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is a showcase of sustainable design. It is also a celebration of the natural landscape itself. It’s an airport design for a greener future. The C Concourse Expansion at SEA was designed by Miller Hull and Woods Bagot. SEA is operated by the Port of Seattle , which has a clear and distinct goal: to become the greenest, most energy-efficient port in all of North America. Related: CLT and local materials comprise new airport terminal The concourse has been designed with multiple sustainable features. Rooftop photovoltaics provide solar energy , while the electrochromic glazing on the windows prevents energy loss. The heating and hot water systems doesn’t use fossil fuel energy. There are also low-flow water fixtures everywhere. Carbon reduction strategies and biophilic design principles were used throughout the design. Additionally, the design will add fur new floors to the existing design. The Grand Stairs serve a...

Lakeside at Black Butte Ranch received a sustainable renovation. It revitalized an iconic resort community near Sisters, Oregon , which sits at the gateway to Oregon’s high desert. The Ranch, originally planned in the early 1970s, is a vacation destination or year-round home for many people. The 15,000-square-feet Lakeside is a replacement of the old pool facility. The two buildings that comprise Lakeside contain a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. There is also an outdoor pool, hot tub, a fitness room with locker rooms and an activity center and outdoor play area for kids. Related: Book a stay at these eco-friendly cottages in the UK Furthermore, the design of Lakeside aims to evolve the legacy of Pacific Northwest modernism at the Ranch. It increases the sense of connection to the landscape and creates an even more pleasant lifestyle experience for residents. “Openings, breezeways and overhangs become apertures for distilling the volcanic landscape into distinct mom...