Developed by designer Daan Roosegaarde, a smog-free tower is a structure that filters air on a very large scale and pulls out smog from the air. The tower creates smog-free zones in polluted areas, and can produce little cubes of contained smog that can be used and sold as jewelry. Learn more. Despite all of the strides and victories in …
All Around the World
The Royal Institute of British Architects revealed the shortlist for this year’s Stirling Prize! The six buildings competing are a Maggie’s cancer-care center in Scotland, NEO Bankside housing in London, a Burntwood School by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Peabody housing by Niall McLaughlin Architects, the Whitworth by MUMA, and the University of Greenwich Stockwell Street Building by Heneghan Peng Architects. …
In NYC
An initiative called the Haven Project is coming to the South Bronx! Haven Project brings a green waterfront to Mott Haven and Port Morris. The Haven Project will also revitalize the Randalls Island connection, making the island more accessible. Mainly, this initiative is aimed at creating green spaces. Due to the nature of these industrial neighborhoods, there are very high …
NYC ECO HABITS #18
Leave the shoes by the door— Imagine all of the things that have probably been on the city streets, bathroom floors, and public transit floors that the bottom of your shoe has come into contact with by walking around. Leave shoes and the germs that come with them at the door. Keep your home at its cleanest and safest for …
A Few of our Favorite Things
Plastic is making strides! We already have biodegradable plastic, making it a little more ecofriendly, but this grade of plastic is costly and wasteful to make. Belgian researchers are developing a way to make production of this plastic less wasteful, and therefore more cost efficient. Learn more. Google’s Project Loon is an endeavor to provide wifi access by way of …
All Around the World
Over the past few years, the earth has experienced what some have referred to as a pause in climate change: a leveling out of surface air temperatures inconsistent with the rising amount of carbon in our atmosphere. Researchers are now finding an explanation for this trend: volcano eruptions, in which particulates in our air reflect solar radiation. This Gizmag article …
In NYC
A new initiative by Big Belly is now in Downtown New York: solar powered trashcans that double as WiFi hotspots. These trash cans can be used to further record information on foot traffic and statistical data. Learn more.
NYC ECO HABITS #17
Skip the air freshener— Instead of spraying your air or releasing odors via air fresheners, make your home smell good naturally by boiling cinnamon, cloves, or other herbs. Also keep a few plants around to naturally filter your air! Did you know? According to the EPA, indoor air pollution levels can be up to 100 times higher than outdoor air …
A Few of our Favorite Things
Hankook, a Korean tire company, is in the process of producing airless tires: the iFlex. Made from sustainable materials, the iFlex matches conventional tires in the areas of durability, hardness, stability, slalom, and speed, yet they require half of the maintenance! Learn more. Created by Eu-wen Ding, the Lumos helmet is a bicycle helmet with built in LED lights. It …
All Around the World
London has plans to implement a traffic light system in which, when detected, cyclists have longer green lights and more time to cross at intersections. This system takes after 2014’s “intelligent pedestrian crossings,” which gave pedestrians more time to cross at junctions. Learn more.