Environment protection/issues, humanitarian aid » Communication

Towards sustainability..

Chantal — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 21:04:18 +0000

“I believe in God, only I spell it Nature” (Frank Lloyd Wright, quoted, 14 August 1966); Words of wisdom, coming out from a well known architect …yes, an architect…but why an architect ? Why nature ?? Why the sudden belief by the people who always tend to be accused of destroying the lands just to create art to construct buildings that protects its owner and property against nature…

Accusations and questions may rise, yet the answer remains very simple:

"Nature protects architecture, and architecture ornaments nature." Yanagi Muneyoshi-1922

But among the most significant environmental challenges of our time, are global climate change, excessive fossil fuel dependency and the growing demand for energy. In this context, the main idea of merging nature and architecture can simply be down to one single definition: Sustainable architecture, or more to say Eco-housing, green development, sustainable design, and environmentally sound housing.

It has as many names as it has definitions…Meanwhile; this new kind of architecture is all about “taking less from the Earth and giving more to people”.

In practice, "green" housing varies widely. It can range from being energy efficient and using nontoxic interior finishes to being constructed of recycled materials and completely powered by the sun.
These practices offer an opportunity to create environmentally sound and resource-efficient buildings by using an integrated approach to design.

The entire life cycle of the building and its components is considered, as well as the economic and environmental impact and performance.

Basically, it’s an ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HOUSE!

The principles of the proper design on the basis of the principles of sustainable architecture may be summed up as follows:

1. Controlling the microclimate
Permits passive exploitation of the sun's energy and optimal use of natural lighting and ventilation, saving significant amounts of energy and improving climatic comfort.

2. Saving energy
Other important factors in energy conservation are the relationship between the outer surface, volumetrics and thermal insulation of the building's shell. Good insulation means less heat loss, while high performance, low consumption ventilation, artificial lighting and electrical systems also help save energy.

3. Using renewable energy sources
The picture is completed by integration of technologies deriving from renewable energy sources (solar, geothermal and wind energy) permitting hot water production with solar collectors, heat production with high performance boilers and heat pumps and use of cogeneration, photovoltaic panels and wind generators to produce energy.

4. Using sustainable and recyclable materials
Use of certified building biology materials obtained from raw materials that can be regenerated through processes with a low energy consumption significantly reduces the environmental impact of construction. Use of recyclable materials prolongs the materials' lifespan in ecological and economic cycles, thereby reducing consumption of raw materials and production of wastes. Increasing awareness of these concerns among businesses has produced a wider selection of ecologically certified materials on the market.5 Using water properly.
Rational use of water involves use of devices for reducing water consumption and use of rainwater in technological systems.

6. Landscaping
Greenery close to buildings serves two important bioclimatic functions: creating more favorable climatic conditions for the building's users and helping reduce overheating in the urban environment.

Use of environmentally sustainable methods and tools in construction of the built environment provides new input for correct ecological and energetic organization of buildings.

Managing the various aspects of sustainable architecture, let’s get down to a fine example to see what it could be all about someday..

hydrogen city

neagu -25-02- 2009, 19:34 - randomly sustainable webcrap

H2PIA – The World’s First Hydrogen City

If the developers behind H2PIA have their way, a hydrogen future may not be as far off as some predict. Its a super-sustainable hydrogen-powered Danish dream city where the houses draw electricity from the sun and wind. Here’s how it works: “The renewable energy comes from solar or wind power and is used to split H2O – ordinary water – into H2 and O2 – hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is vented into the atmosphere, which already contains about 20 percent O2. The hydrogen is used in fuel cells that can produce energy, for instance in the form of electricity and heat. In the fuel cell, the energy is created by silent electrochemical processes with no pollution. The only product left over when the hydrogen is used up, is pure water. During periods with low energy demand, we can store the hydrogen. Then, when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining, we use the stored hydrogen.” Nice idea but we human should have, could have built it long time ago. Its time we take care of our aging mother earth. The third rock from the sun, its not just a planet, its home.

Then again, i will go further to a very common design element that contributes widely in translating green and sustainable architecture;

Let’s talk about GREEN ROOFS..

Green roofs system is a 'contained' green space on top of a human-made structure.

The extension of the existing roof includes a high quality water proofing and root repellant system, a drainage system, filter cloth, a lightweight growing medium and plants.

* Green roofs provide locally grown food
* Reduce heating
* Reduce the urban heat island effect
Water stored in the green roof can be used to irrigate the roof itself!

* Green Roofs absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
* Solar Reflection is reduced.
* Cooling and Heating needs are reduced which results in energy savings and less air conditioning, which is a source of GHG emissions.

Green roofs have the same cooling effect of white roofs, with the added benefits of:
* Reducing storm water runoff
* providing noise insulation
* Filtering pollutants and CO2 out of the air

* Reducing the urban heat island effect.
* Providing a long term cost effectiveness in terms of both longevity and reduction in heating/cooling costs.

In a nutshell, the Idea of sustainable architecture is not new… “It is design that improves the quality of life today without diminishing it for the next generation.” (Berkebile)

However, sustainable architecture is hardly ever used. The lack of green architecture is a fault of both the client and the architect.

The time has come to educate the WORLD about design issues such as “sleek does not mean better” and “a glass wall is not better than a concrete wall.” There comes a time when people have to stop worrying only about the exterior details and start worrying about the internal ones "…It is time to stop putting the fins on the Cadillac." (Slessor)

Remember” the distance is nothing, it is only the first step that is difficult…”

“Global Warming is no longer an inconvenient truth, it is an

inescapable reality.”

http://www.greenhomebuilding.com

A Potential Mariage that creates renewable energy

ElieSh — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:00:35 +0000

The Human being has already domesticated the solar heat, the sunlight, the wind force, the water flows, as well as the high and low sea tides to generate electricity. Obviously, it is still not enough. We still lack new resources to compensate our needs and minimize the usage of petrol. The OSMOSIS is potentially the new renewable energy source which we can add to our list.

On Tuesday, 24 November, her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marti of Norway opened in Tofte (60kms away from the capital) the first electrical central in the world that works on the OSMOSIS phenomenon. It is not shocking to see this very first step taking place in Norway. Indeed, the Scandinavian countries are becoming (true) leaders in fighting against climate change, just as in optimising new technologies for the world to benefit from them.

What is OSMOSIS? How does it work? Is it simple?

Huge amounts of energy are set free when freshwater meets salt water, such as when a river runs into the sea. This energy can be used to generate power through osmosis.

Its main principle consists in filling 2 tanks; the first one with sea salt water and the second one with freshwater. Both tanks are connected with porous films. Both volumes will try to combine in order to have a balanced salinity rate. The film’s role is to allow the water molecules to go towards the seawater tank which attracts the freshwater, and to prevent the salt molecular particles from going through. A natural overpressure is created. A pipe is used to unclench an electrical turbine.

The idea of using the osmosis to generate power popped up in the 1970s. Back then, the membranes were not reliable yet and the energy prices were so low that no one found it a good investment. Nowadays however, this new technique is an excellent bargain for the renewable energy production :

it is based on two natural sources (seawater & freshwater),
it is not influenced by the weather forecast (sun path, wind…),
it has a 100% neutral influence on the environment, and will be applicable everywhere a flow of water meets the sea, in almost all the countries around the world.

In Tofte, the plant is integrated in a humid big apartment volume. On the first floor we can see both fresh and salty water entries. The salty water is drained from a nearby lake. Sixty very slim membranes (Named modules) are (being) enrolled, each one being divided into parts of 30m2, thus looking like a gas tank. Both types of water enter separately in the modules where they will be exposed to the OSMOS process which increases the salty water volume at the exit. The decanted extra liquid is then pulsed into a small turbine.

Statkraft engineers are looking forward to the near future. They are aiming in 2015, to build a commercial osmotic power plant that will produce 25 Megawatts (MW), 1000 times more than that of Tofte. To achieve this goal, 5 million square meters of membrane will be implemented. An optimisation of the membrane type, efficiency, and sustainability are a must.

All the elements are in our hands. The planet resources are known. Research founds have been asked for. Now, it is our duty to find the best parameters for the combination of the different elements to achieve a better sustainable renewable energy.

Nestle : Indonesia is fighting back !

Yoann — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:42:53 +0000

For its products, Nestlé uses palm oil from companies that are wreaking havoc on Indonesian rainforests, hindering the locals' way of life and pushing orang-utans towards extinction.

Nestle : good food, good life ?

We all deserve to have a break – but Indonesian rainforests do too ! So remember eating Nestlé takes bits out of Indonesia's precious woods. We're demanding Nestlé to spare rainforests and orang-utans… And to stop buying palm oil from destroyed forests.

Nestlé has banned this add out of Youtube… That was before everyone on the Internet forwarded it to their friends !

Crasher animals get involved for animal preservation

Yoann — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:36:51 +0000

You all know about the crasher squirrel, which barged in the family photo of Melissa Brandts in Alberta :

This amazing squirrel has been seen in numerous pictures throughout history, from Jesus’ Last Supper to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II :

As you can see, he’s been on the moon and he was even caught playing a trick to the Pope.

But do you even know why this playful squirrel does all that for ? Because his species is endangered, and it wants to spread the word.

Indeed, the Ongoye Red Squirrel (Paraxerus palliatus ornatus) and the Tonga Red Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus palliatus tongensis) are endangered mammals. They are considered as”vulnerable”, which means “facing a high risk of extinction in the wild”.

But the more surprising is to come. The growing popularity of the crasher squirrel has inspired many others (all pictures below are original and have not been photoshopped) :

The crasher seal : “Enough with pengouins. I want to pass on a message : stop slaughtering my seal fellows for their fur !”

The crasher cat : “Hey, I want to tell you that my feline bros the Marbled, Black-footed, Black-Headed, Irimote and Asian Leopard Cat are endangered species”.

So, have these off-the-wall animals convinced you ?

If so, you can right now sign the petition to protect endangered species. And if you think that signing a petition for each species is more efficient, as I do, browse the following :

You can even sign a petition to save the Yeti at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park !! Ah ah

Are there another species you want to be protected ? Just add a comment to tell us, with the link to the petition !

7 Greenpeace ads

Yoann — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:49:31 +0000

Greenpeace surely knows how to move people. Here are the proofs, with 7 striking ads of them.

1. Say no tu nuclear energy !

2. Is there such an original and green way to make light ?

3. Kleercut ad parodies Kleenex:

4. Of course no one would like to be treated like that :

5. Breathe !

6. Stop nuclear energy, stop the catastrophe :

7. A science-fiction-like add. Very nice.

Greenpeace Save Eart..
Watch the ad…

10 funny global warming pictures

Yoann — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:50:52 +0000

To communicate about global warming, a funny picture is sometimes what's best. 1. When camels will be found everywhere : 2. A nice piece of advice to prevent global warming : 3. An evocative artwork : 4. Don't worry, everything's under control : 5. A strip from Mike Luckovich :

6. That's evidence for sure :

7. A strip from the comic strip Arctic Circle :

8. A strip from Dan Wasserman :

9. In a few years, this is what Santa will look like :

10. The polar bears' plan :

Communicating about sharks ? No, “for” sharks ! ;)

Yoann — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:40:25 +0000

Recently in this blog, I have dealt with the shameful shark finning trade and the blood shed in the process.

To stigmatize this practice, the Saatchi & Saatchi South Africa agency have set up a clever ambient marketing campaign.

It goes like this : an announcement has been stuck on an aquarium filled with sharks. The sticker says : Warning – predators beyond this point. But it has actually been put back to front, so the visitors feel like it addresses sharks.

Below the glass, on the spot where ichthyological data is to be found, information about shark finning is displayed. That helps visitors understand the meaning of the sticker !

A nice campaign, that make us aware man is the true predator.

Agency : Saatchi & Saatchi South Africa
Client : Save Our Seas foundation
Publication : march 2009
Source : Aotw

Appropedia : Wikipedia goes green

Florent Godard — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:57:48 +0000

Appropedia is a wikipedia-like website totally dedicated to sustainable development. It is a unique place to discuss specific topics and get information and links.

Fullscreen capture 2310 2009 224923.bmp" src="http://humanityy.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Fullscreen-capture-2310-2009-224923.bmp-1024x544.jpg" alt="Fullscreen capture 2310 2009 224923.bmp" width="563" height="322" />Appropedia’s layout…just like Wikipedia’s.

The Appropedia website’s layout is similar to that of Wikipedia, but the big difference is that Appropedia has been created to help people get together and find solutions in sustainable development, reduce poverty through aid and foster international development. Its aim is to bring some light on technologies mainly used in the developing countries (“the Majority World”, according to the website) to improve water supply and purification devices, transport systems and agricultural practices.

It also gives advice on how to alter everyone’s everyday life, like how to destroy stereotypes on solar cookers or how to build your own waterless toilets. Each article explains the advantages and drawbacks of each device and the ways it can be used in full details.

This “appropriate technology wiki” was created to help people find the right technology for their everyday needs while being respectful of the environmental, cultural, economic situations.

Just like in Wikipedia, anyone can add, remove, or edit content. Having recently scored more than 10 million viewings, the website and its content have also been translated into six languages ( French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish).

Since it was launched in April 2006, Appropedia has grown up so much it now includes six similar websites: Sustainable Development Wikia, WinWinWiki, Wikigreen.org, Village Earth’s AT wiki, HowToLiveWiki – home of the Hexayurt, as well as Sgoals – the site for sustainable business.

For further information go to http://www.appropedia.org/Welcome_to_Appropedia

Environment protection/issues, humanitarian aid » Communication

Towards sustainability..

Related posts :

A Potential Mariage that creates renewable energy

Related posts :

Nestle : Indonesia is fighting back !

Related posts :

Crasher animals get involved for animal preservation

Related posts :

7 Greenpeace ads

Related posts :

10 funny global warming pictures

Related posts :

Communicating about sharks ? No, “for” sharks ! ;)

Related posts :

Appropedia : Wikipedia goes green

Related posts :