Eco-Vlog

Fort Stanwix  National Monument , commonly known as the fort that never surrendered to the British during America’s War of Independence 1777, has been overrun by a swarm of honeybees. Located in the city of Rome in Oneida County in New York, the port has served as a historic site for a long time, reminding Americans of their past. It is also said to be the first place where the stars and stripes on the U.S. flag were flown in battle. Although it is not clear which flag was used, it was the starting point for the current U.S. flag. Related: Bees are now legally recognized as fish in California “All that is known is from several accounts: it was made of blue, white and red stripes, and it was flown ‘on behalf of These United States’ and in defiance of the British , by the officers and soldiers inside the fort,” said National Park Service on its website. Now, fort officials have surrendered to a swarm of honeybees that dawned on July 24. According to the staff of the facility, t...

British environmentalist James Lovelock died this week on his 103rd birthday. The brilliant scientist spent much of his century-plus on Earth furthering our knowledge of the planet, and exhorting humans to take better care of it. Lovelock was born in London in 1919. He studied medicine, chemistry and biophysics in the U.K. and U.S. He also worked in both countries, spending the 1940s and 1950s at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, and part of the 1960s at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. There he focused on the moon and Mars, rather than Earth. Much of his work was accomplished as an independent scientist. Related: 9 Black environmentalists you should know about One of Lovelock’s important inventions was an electron capture detector used for measuring pollutants in water, soil and air, and chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. He didn’t follow along with the crowd. Indeed, he pissed off many environmentalists with his staunch support ...

Trikonasana, or the Triangle Pose asana in yoga, was the inspiration for Atelier Marko Brajovic’s new Trikona House, a treehouse in Brazil with a livable interior. “Trikona House’s inspiration appeared to me during one yoga session, and the architectural structure is based on a triangular repetition system,” the architect explained of the angular structure with covered roof deck. Related: Sustainable bamboo makes up these off-grid eco-resorts The treehouse is comprised of three floors with flexible use for a total of 120 square meters. The house was built out of eucalyptus and pine with bamboo used for kitchen cabinets, flooring and Galvalume thermoacoustic panels. The builders sourced local stone to create external retaining walls with rammed earth finishes for internal walls and the ground floor. “The landscaping project is simply the reforestation of the secondary forest where the house is located,” the designers explained. “The wild aesthetic surrounding the house was pos...

WindsorPatania Architects has set a new bar for luxury European living with their sustainable country homes. This project is energy-positive and carbon-neutral. What’s more, the knowledge gained from this design will be available for everyone to use. And when all is said and done, the building will produce more energy than it consumes in a year. This is Eden House, a design based on eight key principles such as biophilic design and renewable energy. Enhancing and using nature is at the heart of the design. Further, the plot is divided into different regions for specific plant and animal species to enjoy. There are microsystems here for birds, bees and butterflies as well. Related: One townhouse in Vietnam receives a green renovation There are 106 solar panels and a ground source heat pump. Meanwhile, natural ventilation will keep the building cooler in the summer and energy costs low. Then, rainwater will be harvested and the biodigester will recycle and purify the water. A gre...

It turns out humans aren’t the only ones checking out what their neighbors are doing when looking for ideas on how to make life easier. All species adapt and evolve in a variety of ways. In fact, convergent evolution is way more common than previously thought.  Simply put, convergent evolution is when unrelated, or very, very distantly related species from different families develop similar traits, mostly based on their environment. Related: Dinosaur extinction caused unexpected changes in plants and fruits For example, consider sharks and dolphins. Both have smooth skin and fins that slice through water for efficiency and speed when pursuing prey or evading predators. Although they look and act similarly, these two species aren’t even closely related. Scientists say the most recent shared relative dates back around 290 million years ago.  Sharks are a fish, with ancestors that have always inhabited water. Dolphins , on the other hand, come from a lineage that took to ...

California Governor Gavin Newsom revived plans to construct the controversial Delta tunnel water project. On Wednesday, the state unveiled a downsized version of the original proposal. The new plan now comes after three years of little public activity. In the released blueprint termed Delta Conveyance, a 45-mile tunnel will be dug. It will divert water from the Sacramento River through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to farms and cities across the state. The blueprint outlines the expected environmental impact. This Environmental Impact Assessment Report is key in securing approvals for the project. Related: California rejects desalination plant in Huntington Beach Proponents of the downsized version say that a single tunnel running parallel to Interstate 5 will create fewer disruptions. Further, they also say that it will be simple to put up than the initial twin-tunnel proposal by Governor Jerry Brown. Newsom scrapped the twin tunnel project immediately after taking office in 2...

A fabulous 170-carat pink diamond discovered in Angola , Africa has been dubbed the “Lulo Rose.” It’s the largest pink diamond found in 300 years. “Only one in 10,000 diamonds is colored pink . So you’re certainly looking at a very rare article when you find a very large pink diamond,” Stephen Wetherall, CEO of the Lucapa Diamond Company, told The Associated Press. Related: Pandora announces switch to lab-grown diamonds The diamond got its name because it was found in the Lulo mine , owned by Lucapa. Lulo is an alluvial mine, meaning miners find stones in the riverbed. Lucapa hopes to locate kimberlite pipes, underground deposits that are the main source of diamonds.   “We’re looking for the kimberlite pipes that brought these diamonds to the surface,” Wetherall said. “When you find these high-value large diamonds… it certainly elevates the excitement from our perspective in our hunt for the primary source.” Because if there’s a diamond that large and valuable, what else mig...

The Amaala Triple Bay Yacht Club is a newly designed sustainable yacht club by HKS for Saudi Arabia ‘s northwestern coast in the desert. The design is part of the Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the local economy by encouraging growth in tourism. First, Amaala Triple Bay’s design aims for at least a LEED Gold standard certification. This high standard for sustainable architecture will be met by selecting certain materials and reducing waste through efficient engineering and design. Then, the use of a light steel frame minimizes concrete and promotes efficient energy use in operation. Related: This luxury eco hotel uses rammed earth and concrete design What’s even more thoughtful than materials and energy use is the way the yacht club was designed in a particular shape to reflect the sun and minimize energy requirements. The building is shallow, which allows it to use natural light and ventilation. Glazed windows also minimize the amount of sun that falls on them to reduce inte...

When the first Barbie doll emerged on the world stage in 1959, the most common careers for educated women were nurse, teacher or secretary. But Barbie never let anything – even an unrealistic hourglass figure – hold her back. She became an astronaut in 1965, four years before Americans landed on the moon. Now, the pinkish doll is going green. Her 2022 incarnation boasts four new career choices: chief sustainability officer, conservation scientist, renewable energy engineer and environmental advocate. And, coinciding with World Chimpanzee Day on July 14, the new doll honors conservation hero Dr. Jane Goodall. Jane Goodall and Barbie Jane Goodall is famous for her work with wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. In 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute formed to further understand and protect chimpanzees and other apes. Goodall also has a history of being responsive to kids. She founded the Roots and Shoots program in 1991, inspired by local kids in Tanzania who shared their ideas and concerns abo...

Austria’s bike maker VELLO introduced the world’s lightest folding bike with electrical assist, called the VELLO bike . It’s under 22 pounds, the first of its kind, and made a splash at Pro-Days in Paris in early July. To make the world’s lightest folding e-bike, VELLO patented its lightweight 1.9 kilograms (around four pounds) titanium frame and an eight-seconds folding mechanism. Related: 14 e-bikes you’ve heard of, and some you likely haven’t “We have managed to push the boundaries for lightweight folding electric bikes. It weighs 9.9 kg, while using off-the-shelf standard component parts,” said Industrial Designer and VELLO Cofounder Valentin Vodev. All VELLO folding e-bikes, including this new ultra lightweight model, are equipped with an all-in-one rear-hub motor. The ultra lightweight model also has large 20-inch wheels, but a small folding size of 57 by 79 by 29 centimeters. Even more unique is that this bike has an energy recuperation feature similar to regenerative b...

Train spotters and other fans of the U.K.’s new high-speed rail network rejoiced this week when the first tunnel on the London to Birmingham route was completed. This is the first of 64 miles of intricate tunnels on this route alone. The new high-speed train system, known as HS2, combines aboveground and underground travel. In some places, tunnels are favored to protect the ecosystems the train will pass beneath.  For example, the mile-long Long Itchington Wood Tunnel will preserve ancient woodland. The 10-mile-long Chiltern Tunnel will be the deepest, at up to 90 meters in places. In a nifty turn, the excavated material will head out on a conveyor belt, rather than being trucked on giant vehicles, which could clog local roads. Related: Train technology gets an eco-upgrade with Revolution VLR To create the tunnels, 10 custom-built tunnel boring machines will chew away below the U.K.’s surface. The machine that just finished creating the first tunnel has been dubbed Dorothy an...

Top U.S. cattle feeders sent 1000 pounds of cattle carcasses to landfills following massive deaths caused by the June heatwave, according to documents reported by Reuters . The deaths led to a scramble in carcass disposal, forcing the dumping of carcasses in landfills. This is contrary to the regular disposal methods of converting carcasses into pet food and fertilizer. Kansas is still experiencing high temperatures and experts predict more cattle deaths this summer. Related: Cow manure will power a renewable energy plant in Japan In preparation for the carcasses, landfill workers flattened them using loading equipment and steel wheels. The cattle were flattened to about eight inches and mixed with other garbage. The process took well over three weeks, an indication of the huge amount of cattle that had to be disposed of. Officials temporarily allowed companies to dispose of their carcasses in the Seward County Landfill in Liberal, Kansas. However, fears of foul smells have spar...

The future of the beauty industry is green, and sustainability is no longer just a box to check off, it’s expected. Consumers are scrutinizing and demanding transparency on ethical labor, ingredients sourcing and giving back to the environment and communities. As a result, more brands are proudly vegan, natural and regenerative. The beauty industry is vast and expansive in its selections. With so many choices, deciding which brand or product to buy can be overwhelming. It’s also especially easy to get lost in the big giants of the industry. However, just take a look at these smaller businesses doing right by Earth . Related: Potentially harmful PFAS found in makeup products sold in North America Body care 1. Solidu Solidu is a woman-owned, plastic-free company providing shampoo, conditioner and body soaps in bar form. Their products include botanical oils, extracts and natural essential oils all without water . Moreover, they pride themselves on their 100% plastic-free and paper...

Since ancient times, schools and centers of learning have been places where the greatest minds can meet and collaborate. Seattle Central College brings this spirit with their EcoDistrict. It is a big step toward solving some serious problems to building a better future. Seattle Central College will become the new home for an EcoDistrict. System strategies will generate 160-degree heating for the water supply. This is achieved through pumps and this system works without the need to remove any existing hot water coils or HVAC systems. Related: Oregon State mass timber buildings sequester over 2,000 tons of CO2 Furthermore, the EcoDistrict will create a shared energy standard for buildings. The goal? Eliminate unnecessary waste and achieve zero-carbon efficiency . Students at the college will learn about sustainability and use it to build a better future. In addition, the EcoDistrict is also a living laboratory where students will solve problems and brainstorm new strategies for sol...

Maldives Floating City is the first development of a new era for sustainable living. In this waterfront paradise , homeowners can live in eco-friendly floating homes. The new city’s roads and water canals were inspired by the grid pattern of a brain coral, a type of coral that looks like the shape of a human brain. This design was in line with the concept of living with nature and learning to improve and respect natural coral. Furthermore, Maldives is the global center for coral protection. Related: Picture yourself on vacation at this floating eco-hotel Therefore, the housing are “scarless developments” because of their attempt to not damage the environment on which they are built. Sustainability of the new community is also a top priority, with the developers finding new methods to “interact in a durable way with our surroundings.” In specific focus here is how to increase sustainability using water. Maldives Floating City is a development of Dutch Docklands in partnersh...