Environment protection/issues, humanitarian aid » Pictures

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

30 great environment cartoons

Yoann — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:17:50 +0000

1. Rustle the leaf :

2. Off the mark, by Mark Parisi :

3.Th, Th, Th, Th, Th, That's all folks !

4. Again Off the mark, by Mark Parisi :

5. Eco-torture, from Cox and Forkum :

6. Red Meat Survey An animal welfare green 'toon from The Barn, by Ralph Hagen; Embed source: comics.com

7. What Constitutes Countryside

Another cartoon from the sprawling comicopolis of green 'toons; this one from The Other Coast, by Adrian Raeside; Embed source: comics.com

8. On Air

A green 'toon so thick you could slice it with a laugh; from The Grizzwells, by Bill Schorr; Embed source: comics.com

9. Emerging from the Primeval Ooze

We're still evolving this green 'toons page. Meanwhile, enjoy this from The Other Coast, by Adrian Raeside; Embed source: comics.com

10. Eco Cave Man

An inventive green comic/toon from Strange Brew, by John Deering; Embed source: comics.com

11. Water Woes

Splash around this green 'toons page; this one from The Other Coast, by Adrian Raeside; Embed source: comics.com

12. Lounge-Chair Lizard

A green 'toon from PC and Pixel, by Thach Bui; Embed source: comics.com

13. Odin and Friends, by Vato :

14. Long-Range Plug-In Electric Car

We offer a battery of green 'toons/comics here; this cartoons is from The Other Coast, by Adrian Raeside; Embed source: comics.com

15. From The Funny Times :

16. Mike Adams and Dan Berger :

17. Singer, from The Funny Times :

18. Eric Per1in, from The Funny Times :

19. Cosmic Debris by EarthMuffin :

20. Eric Per1in, from The Funny Times :

21. From The Funny Times :

22. Elephant Man, from The Funny Times :

23. Noah's Ark 2020

One of many green 'toons from The Other Coast, by Adrian Raeside; Embed source: comics.com

24. Genetically Modified Fruitiness A green 'toon from Speed Bump, by Dave Coverly; Embed source: comics.com

25. How Pesticides Work

One of lots of green 'toons from The Other Coast, by Adrian Raeside; Embed source: comics.com

26. Gaia Hi-ya

One of a handful of green 'toons from Free Range, by Bill Whitehead; Embed source: comics.com

27. PR Nightmares

Another of the many green 'toons from The Other Coast, by Adrian Raeside; Embed source: comics.com

28. Chicken Comedians :

29. Whales and Sonars and …

Ping this green 'toons page for funny environmental comics; this one from The Other Coast, by Adrian Raeside; Embed source: comics.com

30. For Better of for Worse, bu Lynn Johnston :

30 amazing animal pictures, from Mark Vincent Müller

Yoann — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:14:21 +0000

Mark Vincent Müller knows how to deal with animal photography. Suricats, elephants, apes, lions and dragonflies, all are shot in their fiery animality. Enjoy these 30 great pictures, and if you like them, visit Mark Vincent Müller’s website !

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 :

20 most beautiful nature pictures from portuguese artist José Ramos

Yoann — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:09:48 +0000

One can only be awed while contemplating the beauty of nature.

José Ramos, aka Inebriantia, is a brilliant artist who has deeply understood this fact. His works of art capture the landscapes’ colors and give them some unearthly, uncanny tones.

So far José Ramos has created 173 amazing pictures. Enjoy here the 20 most beautiful ones !

1. Debris Shelter

2. Endless Plains :

3. Absence Without Leave :

4. Light Puzzles II :

5. The Pathfinder :

6. The Frozen Enchant of Warmth

7. The Infinity Fountain :

8. When Magic Happens II

9. Progeny – The Project

10. Dreaming of Escape :

11. Trail of Thoughts :