Description
Johnny Rodgers is a member of the Human-Centered Systems for Sustainable Living research group at Simon Fraser University's School of Interactive Arts & Technology. This is a tumblog of bits and pieces related to my research into supporting sustainable resource use. My full research blog can be found here.
good:
The Grand Canyon Bans Sales of Bottled Water
Congratulations Grand Canyon park! Despite weary tourists and a $13 million donation from Coca-Cola, the park decided to push forward a ban on plastic water bottles, according to TIME.
A step in the right direction.
Photo by zone41’s via Flickr
(via unconsumption)
![Indeed…kind of a myopic green building.
unconsumption:
The Starbucks container store we posted about while under construction a few weeks ago finally opened on December 13 in a suburb south of Seattle. The new drive-thru location was built to LEED standards and is awaiting certification.
Its built with three containers and implements rainwater harvesting, xeriscaping and reduced signage. If only it weren’t a drive-thru.
[via Dear Coffee, I Love You]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1c9nuXmc1qzv12bo1_1280.jpg)
Indeed…kind of a myopic green building.
The Starbucks container store we posted about while under construction a few weeks ago finally opened on December 13 in a suburb south of Seattle. The new drive-thru location was built to LEED standards and is awaiting certification.
Its built with three containers and implements rainwater harvesting, xeriscaping and reduced signage. If only it weren’t a drive-thru.
[via Dear Coffee, I Love You]
Filmmaker David Parker directed this short video, “Light,” to more viscerally express the energy wasted from electric lights unnecessarily left on. I think it’s a lovely and haunting piece.
I’m not sure of the physics/energy balance of this, but the visuals are certainly imaginative.
Samuel Medina, Architizer:
“This month, the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator will begin conducting an ambitious “geoengineering trial” that will see the formation of an urban glacier that will cool the city throughout the summer months. As the Guardian reports, the scientists behind the 1 billion tugrik ($700,000) project believe that the glacier will emit enough cool air to be pumped throughout the city in the summer, while also supplying valuable water resources for drinking and irrigation as the ice gradually melts in the hot temperatures.”
What’s exciting about this to me is that they’ve emphasized a smart thermostat as a decor and lifestyle accessory. This is very important for buy-in from trendsetters and those with disposable income (who are typically the highest energy users).
One of the most innovative products found on the Greenbuild Expo floor was the Reveeco EcoVéa recycling shower. This might be a hard sell for some but the concept is brilliant, allowing you to enjoy long showers without guilt. Possibly the world’s most intelligent shower, EcoVéa recycles water within your shower to push the limits of water conservation. For a ten minute shower, the EcoVéa can save up to 66% above your fixture efficiency savings.
EcoVéa consists of a 36″ x 36″ shower base which comes in a variety of finishes …. While showering, the EcoVéa cell analyzes whether water is dirty and should be discarded or water is clean and can be reused. If reused, it is treated through a filter and antibacterial treatment, mixed with a small quantity of new hot water to maintain a consistent temperature, and sent back to the shower head.
(via Smart EcoVéa Enables Guilt-Free Showers — Jetson Green)
“The village of Wildpoldsried is producing 321% more energy than it needs! The small agricultural village in the state of Bavaria is generating an impressive $5.7 million in annual revenue from renewable energy.”
