—From city-wide zip lines to personal flying devices

No more imagining how you’ll commute to work in 10 or 20 years – We’ve got the futuristic designs that could be your mode of transportation in a couple of decades!

1. Kolelinia City Zipline

Created by Bulgarian architect Martin Angelov, the Kolelinia concept is a network of cables strung high above the city skyline to transport people from one place to another.

Originally conceived as a way to move cyclists from Point A to Point B, Kolelinia has morphed into a method for people with battery powered backpacks to travel from one place to another.

What fun it would be to fly above the city using low-power, weightless method of transport. Though still in the concept stage, it has amazing potential to change our car-driven society, to something more sustainable for the daily commute.

2. Velo-City

Another bizarre form of commuting transportation, Velo-City is a concept that hopes to have a home in the city of Toronto, ON. It’s elevated bikeways enclosed in tubes that allow cyclists to move from place to place within the city safely and quickly.

Separated by direction of travel, the bikeway tubes would create natural tail winds through dynamic air circulation, adding to the attraction for cyclists.

3. Taxius Animalus

If taxis are more your thing but you’re worried about the commuting emissions related to single-vehicle travel, then check out these futuristic electric taxis called the Taxius Animalus.

Still in the early design stages, this concept vehicle can use electric power to transport people around town. It’s made of touch fabric and other lightweight materials to further diminish its need for fuel. Fun!

4. Wheel Rider

Another concept vehicle, this one designed by Yuji Fujimura, the Wheel Rider is a fantastical personal transportation device that could be rolling down the road in the coming years.

Designed for Yamaha, this futuristic commuting vehicle is one giant wheel with a driver seat and room for storage.

5. Capella Folding Electric Bike

Designed by Truong Minh Nhat, this lightweight, electric bike becomes compact when you fold it up so that you can take it almost anywhere for a convenient, sustainable commute.

Though it’s still in the design phase as well, Truong hopes to eventually make it mass marketable so that anyone who wants can own one.

6. BMW Halbo Personal Commuter

Yet another personal electric bike option with style, the BMW Halbo was created to move like a motorcycle but use much less energy and be much more nimble.

Made with a small front wheel and a larger rear wheel, this is vehicle is half the size of a regular motorcycle and powered by plugging it into the wall outlet.

7. UK Subway Tube For Cyclists

Though started originally as a way for cyclists to commute during a recently London subway system strike, the “Bike Tube” continues to be open to cyclists in London looking for safer routes to work.

( Photo by Thomas Euler )

With five different routes throughout the city, cyclists can buddy up – experienced cyclists with newbie’s – to get downtown with minimal effort or trouble. It’s a new way of cycling to work.

8. Dahon Folding Bike

If you’ve ever wanted to get to and from work on a bike, but need to ride part of the way on the bus or the rapid transit train, then why not try a folding bike like the Dahon. These folding bikes can be collapsed to fit in your vehicle’s trunk or carried with you on the bus.

Portable bikes are lightweight, easy to pack up, and make the sustainable commute much more possible than ever before. It’s like something from the future, isn’t it?

Flying machines powered by the biggest of stars, the Sun. Well, the thought might still seem stemming from a scorching sci-fi movie, but its reality is much nearer than you thought. The solar powered planes are here to stay.

The technology behind these flying aircrafts, to make maximum use of the largest energy source available to us, is still in its infancy, but growing at a fast pace for sure.

1. The Zephyr Solar Plane

The Zephyr solar plane, after flying for two continuous weeks over an Arizona army range, has now been successful in breaking the endurance record for an unmanned aircraft basically it being an effort to develop a self sufficient surveillance aircraft.

This solar plane is photovoltaic-powered and it made a new record of 336 flying hours beating the previous world record of 30 hours but when it’s going to be commercialized is still suspense!

It is a fairly large but light weight plane which absorbs solar rays during the day and stores the extra energy in lithium sulphur batteries to be used during night.

There is no doubt that the powerful solar power can prove to be a boon to the earthlings if dealt with rightly!

2. Hy-bird Solar Hydrogen Plane

The Hy-bird plane is a lightweight, hybrid solar plane made out of lightweight carbon fiber.

The main power source will be from Lithium-polymer batteries and solar photo-voltaics will provide about 10% of its power. This might seem unreal but is soon going to be a reality by next year.

3. The Sunseeker II

Designed by Eric Raymond, the Sunseeker II has an ultra light shape and features solar panels on very small wing areas.

Set to fly in Freidrichshafen, Germany between April 2nd to 5th 2010, and in Torino, Italy between June 6th to 14th 2010, the Sunseeker II solar plane is also expected to fly in the Swiss Alps, Australian Dolomites, Slovenia, France, and even Spain.

4. Centurion

The Centurion is a remotely piloted, solar-powered, lightweight wing aircraft.

The technology used is such that the application of solar power is for a longer duration and for a high-altitude flight. With a wing-span of 206 feet, the Centurion also has an 8-foot chord giving the wing an aspect ratio of 26 to 1.

5. The Solar Impulse

The Solar Impulse is a propeller plane which nearly has 12,000 solar cells on its 207 foot carbon-fiber light weight wings.

This solar plane has proved its flight in darkness and the cells stored enough energy between its take off at 7 a.m. and nightfall the next night to get through the whole night at a maximum altitude of 28,000 feet.

6. Odysseus Solar Plane:

The Odysseus solar plane is an autonomous surveillance aircraft which boast of the ability to fly above earth for a straight five years and getting its power from nothing but its solar panels.

The way it’s made is a unique design in itself with a combination of three airplanes of 164 feet long wing shaped structures which are launched separately and combine after being in the calmer stratosphere. Measuring 492 feet after assembly, the Odysseus can fly 140 miles per hour at an altitude of 60,000 to 90,000 feet.

Still in the concept stage, the Odysseus is expected to go real in five years, although with a smaller version to start with.

7. Solong

This Solong UAV is a solar powered unmanned aerial vehicle and has set a record by flying a little over 24 hours fueled only by solar power and battery.

It has a 4.75m wingspan and weighs a little over 10.8 kgs flying without noise, consumes fossil fuel and is a no pollution aerial vehicle.

8. Sky Sailor

The Sky Sailor solar plane might not have achieved the world record it has set out to achieve but nevertheless is a valuable attempt. Although it was aimed to fly for about 24 hours and be driven only by solar energy, it had to land again after sunset.

It is a light weight solar plane weighing only 2.5kgs and has a 3.2m wingspan with 216 solar cells covering the upper surface of its wings.

9. Solar Challenger:

The Solar Challenger weighs only 205 pounds and has the world record for the farthest, highes and longest solar powered manned flight.

It stood aloft for 5 hours and 23 minutes completing the 163 mile trek from Corneille-en-Verin Airport, north of Paris, France to Manston Royal Air Force Base in Manston, United Kingdom.

10. Pathfinder Plus

Originally the Pathfinder, the Pathfinder Plus solar plane has a new center wing panel unlike the Pathfinder with an increased wingspan of 121 feet.

Fitted with newer high efficiency solar cells and other improvements, the Pathfinder Plus achieved its set goal by flying a record 80,201 feet.

– Awe-inspiring videos and photos collection of the disaster!

The Gulf oil spill has wreaked incredible damage on the environment and local communities. The veracity of these images will tell you the whole story.

1. Estimated Number of Gallons of Oil Leaked to Date

We are hard-pressed to determine exactly how many gallons of oil are being spilled into the Gulf of Mexico every single day, with estimates ranging from 1.5 million gallons to 4.1 million gallons daily.

Use the “Adjust Leak Rate” slider on this NBC Disaster in the Gulf interactive map to see the estimated number of gallons leaked to date and you’ll be frightened by the sheer size of the spill.

2. No Media Access to BP Oil Spill

Perhaps what’s scarier than the number of gallons of oil spilled in the Gulf is the fact that media are having a hard time getting access to the spill area.

Though BP denies that, they are preventing reporters from talking to workers and taking pictures or filming the area, as this WDSU report shows, that’s simply not true.

How are we to know how serious the problem is without accurate reporting?

3. Underwater Oil-Soaked Sand

This is a terrifying prospect to those who depend on fishing for their livelihood, since the oily sand will have a serious impact on the food supply for seafood like shrimp and crab.

Toxicologists say this hidden oil will seriously threaten marine life in the area, and the jobs of fisherman, too

4. Future Dead Birds

(Photo by cbsnews.com)

This is a dead bird according to scientists! Although now living, it will eventually die, either from toxic contamination or from starvation.

As temperatures rise in the Gulf, many oil-soaked animals will be literally cooked alive as the oil heats to lethal temperatures. This heartbreaking story is unfolding for thousands of birds.

5. Oil-Soaked Activists

(Photo by Greenpeace USA 2010)

Many volunteers have flocked to the Gulf to try to help with the cleanup. Their efforts are crucial to helping individual animals as well as cleaning beaches, but the black stain of oil on their gear is nonetheless shocking.

This image shows Joao Talocchi holding an oil-covered oyster.

6. Online Maps Show The Closed Fisheries And Open Beaches

As reported by Planet 100, this new Gulf Coast Spill Coalition map which combines four data sources – independent boat owners, NOAA and university run Gulf Coast Ocean Observing System – shows a strange discrepancy between recreational sections of beach that have been kept open despite oil washing ashore, and areas where fishing has been banned.

Frightening thought that it’s safe to swim where it’s not safe to fish.

7. Time-Lapsed Images From NASA Showing Size Of The Gulf Oil Spill

If you want to get a clear picture of how far-reaching the spill has become in only a few short weeks, watch this time-elapsed video from NASA that shows images taken from the MODIS instrument aboard two of their satellites over a period of 6 weeks or so.

You’ll not only see the size of the oil spill as it takes over the region, but you’ll see how volatile the flow of oil is as the weather patterns change.

It’s a scary visualization of just how difficult it is to contain a spill like this.

When measuring the impact of the Exxon oil spill over the US coast, the result is not influencing only the surface of the water and the deep water impact is far greater than we could imagine. Here is an Info graphic by “Boat Insurance“.

When the scientists said that the ecological disaster will influence greatly on the entire ecosystem including wildlife and human life, they were not kidding since apart from polluting the environment, the spill spread underwater killing wildlife and causing damage to human health.

Yes, lives were lost, both human and animal, and if you think that this disaster is somehow contained, learn that that is virtually impossible to be achieved due to weather condition and water currents.

Still, you should know that the consequences of the spill and of the deep water spreading of the crude oil is certainly not something that would pass away very soon.

Source: Boat Insurance

–From fish skin to plastic bottles – the crazy and amazing world of eco-friendly swimwear fashion!

Heading to the beach in style is a goal we all have; choosing a way to be stylish without harming the planet is even better! We’ve got all of the most eco-friendly swimsuits on the market for you to try – from solar-powered to recycled fish skin, there’s bound to be something to strike your fancy!

1. Eco-Panda

Eco-friendly swimwear is all the rage, with dozens of beautiful, body-flattering and fun designs from which to choose. Great options are made from fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, soy, and recycled or remnant fabrics.

Eco-Panda swimwear claims to be the first to use recycled plastic to make their swimwear. They’re made from recycled nylon fibers (from used fishing nets!) and apparently lasts 3 times longer than regular swimwear, too.

2. Solar-Powered Bikini

Ever wanted a little power for your iPod while sitting on the beach? Check out this Solar Bikini designed by Andrew Schneider. It’s part of the iDrink solar swimwear line and makes listening to music while sunning yourself in a beach.

3. Angie & Penny

From high-powered to super recycled, this bikini designed by Angie & Penny is made from the skin of the Tilapia fish.

It’s waterproof and can be dyed in an array of color, and since it’s from fish that are already being consumed for food, it’s highly sustainable. Crazy? Maybe, but a lot of fun and a great alternative to leather.

4. Jungle Gurl

Jungle Gurl swimwear, set to launch another new line-up this spring, makes their sexy swimwear from vintage fabrics – each suit is one-of-a-kind. There are seven different categories.

5. Anna Cohen

These little swimwear gems are made with Olympic proportions! Well, not really, they’re created using surplus polyester fabrics leftover from the making of Olympic speed skating uniforms and they’re made in Portland. Feel like an athletic star!

6. SeedleSs

Just in case you were worried that there’s nothing good in men’s eco-friendly swimwear, take a look at seedleSs clothing’s shOrts HEINY TRUNKS. Like all of the clothing made by this brand, these are created using eco-friendly hemp and come in a variety of colorful, fun prints.

7. Kelly B

Get a green leg up on your beach attire with this swimsuit made from organic cotton and bamboo as well as a little bit of spandex. The fun tie dyed pattern and comfortable fit (bamboo is incredibly soft to the touch) make it a wonderful addition to any sun bathing wardrobe.

8. Faeries Dance

If you prefer a one piece swimsuit, then this one may be for you, and it’s made of recycled plastic bottles! Instead of making it from petroleum-based polyester, this is made from recycled materials, making it beautiful and eco-friendly. This company carries a whole variety of swimwear in a variety of styles and from a variety of designers.

9. Tizi Cut Out Swimsuit

Here’s another sustainable swimsuit with a fun flare for design. It’s made from bamboo viscose fabric, organic cotton, and spandex, and is designed with small side cut outs to add interest and whimsy to the design. This one piece suit is available in sunny yellow and is latex free, too.

10. Becca Swim

Get dressed up to go to the beach with Becca Swim’s luxurious line of swimwear. This company makes their swimsuits from soy fabric that’s created from a by-product of the tofu industry.

It’s the vegetable cashmere of the fashion world and incredibly breathable and silky to wear. She also creates bamboo cover-ups and sportswear to finish your beach look.

–Find out how you’ll feel the pain of the Deep water Horizon disaster

Though the oil has been pouring into the Gulf of Mexico for more than a month, the consequences of this larger than ever environmental disaster have yet to be fully examined and determined.

That said, scientists and researchers are starting to put together some of the puzzle pieces, and the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill are likely to be big – and you’ll likely feel the pain.

1. Fewer Choices On The Store Shelves

The Gulf of Mexico is a huge shipping lane through which products of all shapes and sizes come into North America. From Toys to clothes to cars to building materials, you may find that the selection at your local store begins to shrink as shipping lanes slow down as a result of the oil spill.

(Photo by mikebaird )

Though the lanes are unlikely to come to a complete halt, as oil coats the hulls of ships, it may delay the ships and slow commerce and trade.

2. No More Evening Walks Along The Beach

Whether you’re taking a vacation in Texas or hoping to walk along the New Orleans shore, you may be in for disappointment.

( Photo by ingridtaylar )

Many beaches are now closing as clean-up efforts frantically work on removing oil slick from the sands. But the impact may be felt for quite some time as oil continues to wash up on shore.

3. Diminished Wildlife Populations

It should come as no surprise that many wildlife will be impacted by the oil spill. Oiled birds, otter, bald eagles, pelicans, turtles, fish, and dolphins are already washing up on shore, making the beach sights less than palatable for someone looking to see some pristine nature.

( Photo by marinephotobank )

At this point, scientists believe that there will be at least 400 species negatively impacted by the spill, though there’s no way yet to know how big the problem will be.

4. See The Devastation For Yourself

Not sure how far the oil spill will reach and whether it will end up in your backyard (perhaps it’s there already!)? Then you’ll want to check into the crowdsourced map iPhone app that is tracking the movement of the spill.

( Photo by NASA Goddard )

Citizen reporters allow real-time reports of job losses, wildlife deaths, and more as people submit their emails, text messages, Tweets, photos, and more.

5. Unsafe Clams

Over time, molluscs like clams incorporate calcium into their shells throughout their lifetimes. But the heavy metals like nickel and vanadium from the petroleum industry and the resulting oil spill may be incorporated into the shells of these creatures.

( Photo by oropeza )

As other wildlife consumes these clams, they incorporate the toxins into their bodies, and on it goes as the heavy metals bio-accumulate in the food chain. This could have serious, long-term consequences for human health.

6. Tainted Oyster Bars

Many appreciate a delicious oyster meal, and why not? They’re extremely healthy with loads of protein, vitamin D, omega fatty acids, and iron. But oyster reefs worldwide have already been depleted by 85% because of environmental degradation.

( Photo by jetalone )

They’ve been working on restoring the populations of oysters by reseeding certain reefs to boost their numbers.

The Golf of Mexico has been home working on some of these projects, but with the massive oil spilling into that environment, the oysters could soon become tainted with chemicals, making them unsafe to eat.

7. Problems For Shrimp Feasts

The Gulf of Mexico is also a nursery for species like shrimp that grow up in the estuaries. The oil that is taking over this natural environment will choke out the plants that make the estuaries so nutritious to shrimp.

( Photo by cote )

The experts aren’t yet decided on how many shrimp will die as a result of this major ecological disaster.

8. Hurricane May Ruin Your Jazz Trip – New Orleans Could Be Flooded With Oil

According to the National Weather Service, a hurricane like Hurricane Katrina could have devastating impact on New Orleans. Researchers expect 15 named storms to develop into 8 hurricanes, and with a well-placed hurricane, the oil could be pushed onto New Orleans shores, further impacting the already devastated region.

( Photo by Markusram )

– Why won’t makers tell you what’s in their products? Find out 9 common products you might want to avoid.

Earthjustice lawsuit against cleaning product companies

Many conventional household cleaning products have secret chemical ingredients in them that can cause both human and environmental harm, and the companies making them don’t want you to know what they are!

Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental group focused on using the law to affect environmental change, has recently launched a lawsuit against the biggest offenders.

Using a little-known piece of legislation in New York State that requires manufacturers to report the ingredients in their products on a semi-annual basis, Earthjustice hopes to force big companies to reveal what’s in their cleaning products.

The law hasn’t been used since 1976, but if required to follow it in NY State, Earthjustice hopes the information will become available to all American consumers.

Earthjustice’s Clean Up Their Act lists the companies that haven’t yet disclosed chemicals in their cleaning products.

Here you’ll see some of the most popular products on Earthjustice’s list, but you can find out more by accessing their entire list here. Then use that list to weed out potentially harmful chemicals from your home so that you and the planet can breathe a little easier.

1. Softsoap – Colgate Palmolive

Softsoap by Colgate Palmolive comes in all shapes and sizes, including hand wash, body wash, as well as body creams and more.

How do we know that their motto of “Later up for Good Health” is true if they won’t tell us what goes into the products?

2. Calgon – Reckitt Benckiser

True, Calgon is a 50-year old brand, but who knows what they’ve been putting in their products all this time, especially since they won’t tell us!

3. Vanish – Reckitt Benckiser

Here’s a fabric stain remover that should vanish away the stains in your laundry, but what does this disappearing act cost the environment and human health?

4. Woolite – Reckitt Benckiser

Another heritage fabric washing product, Woolite has been a staple in homes in 30 countries for a long time.

It claims to be gentler on clothes, making it a good choice for delicates, with the added benefit of preventing color fading or shape loss. But how does it achieve these wondrous results?

5. Scrub Free Soap Scum Remover – Church and Dwight

This cleaning product is designed to get your tub and shower cleaner without the use of any elbow grease.

Its powerful formula removes soap scum and leaves your bathroom smelling good and look sparkling and clean. Wish we knew what chemicals were used to remove all of that soap scum!

6. Brillo Steel Wool Soap Pads

Made to make your cleaning job easier, these steel wool pads are doused with chemicals that make it quick and simple to remove baked-on, dried-on stuff from your pans, pots, and oven.

But again, it’s a bit of a mystery as to what these chemicals are.

7. Tide laundry detergent – Proctor & Gamble

As a product synonymous with laundry day, Tide is one of the most popular laundry brands in North America.

But, it too is one of those brands for which you’ll be hard-pressed to find an ingredient list. The company has a great sustainability message, but why aren’t they backing it up by telling us what ingredients they use in their products?

8. Swiffer WetJet – Proctor & Gamble

Sure, it’s convenient and easy to use, but what of the environmental consequences. Not only do these mopping products add piles and piles of waste to landfills, we don’t know what chemicals go into making them.

And they’re pretty expensive per use compared to a regular mop you’d wash yourself rather than throwing away.

9. Mr. Clean – Proctor & Gamble

If you’ve ever experienced that post-clean headache, it may have come as a result of these highly-perfumed cleaners like Mr. Clean (although many create similar reactions).

Once again, we’re in the dark about how they get their cleaning power.

—Why you should care about climate change? 7 ways it could kill you

1. Fluctuations in Weather Events

Heat waves, extreme storms and floods, and other severe fluctuations in weather events will directly impact human health—and it already is! If the heat waves experienced by many major cities in Africa, Europe, and the USA are any indication, the consequences of climate change are already being felt by the human population.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, temperatures are going to continue to rise on average over the next few decades. In fact, heat waves are supposed to become 25 percent more frequent in Chicago and four to eight times more common in Los Angeles.

Heat waves can affect human health in a number of ways by increasing the incidence of heart problems and asthma, especially in the most vulnerable populations—the very young and the elderly.

2. Extreme Weather Events

Extreme weather events such as cold waves, floods, droughts, storms, and heat waves will increase in frequency and intensity, causing even more health related problems and an increase in human deaths.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change put out a report in 2007 stating that, though the frequency of tropical storms and hurricanes vary quite dramatically from year to year, there have been substantial increases in both duration and intensity of these storms in the US since the 1970s.

These storms will negatively affect agriculture and forestry and the quality of water resources (both of which will indirectly influence human health), and will also be responsible for an increase in human mortalities and illnesses.

3. Vector Borne Diseases

Vector borne diseases such as dengue fever, yellow fever, malaria, and encephalitis will all increase as a result of climate change.

As the earth’s temperature warms, diseases that were carried by warm-weather insects like mosquitoes and previously restricted to only tropical areas will be able to spread to locations in which they never would have been able to survive before. As a result, whole new populations will be exposed to these difficult and deadly diseases.

4. Poor Air Quality

To add insult to injury, climate change will also negatively impact air quality, which will indirectly increase the number of humans affected by diseases such as asthma.

Photo by noii

Additionally, with climate change comes an increase in ground-level ozone—nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, when reacting with sunlight, cause an increase in ground-level ozone. This compound that is especially damaging to lung tissue, causes an increase in chronic lung diseases.

5. Difficulty in Food Production

As droughts and heat waves became more common, and destructive floods and storms became more frequent, it will become increasingly difficult for the land to produce food.

Agricultural yields and production are expected to be widespread in developing countries, especially affecting populations that are the least able to withstand the consequences.

6. Water Wars

Water wars. Not land, not oil, not religion. Communities and nations will be fighting over access to clean water in the decades to come. Droughts and floods will both affect the quality of water, making clean drinking water even scarcer than it already is.

Photo by khym54

As a result, desperate, scared people will fight with each other to claim their share for their families. The wars will lead to violence, which will ultimately affect human lives profoundly.

7. Reduced Clean Water Supplies

Changes in weather patterns, reductions in clean water supplies, and war will all lead to the displacement of communities and families, which in turn will lead to an increase in human populations concentrating in refugee camps.

These communities can damage familial and cultural cohesion and can often be breeding grounds for diseases. Health care in these communities is also a significant challenge.

Together, all of these human health consequences will have a severe impact on the human population.

-Amazing Outdoor Benches That Make Sitting Down A Real Pleasure.

1. Urban Nights

Designed by the folks at Runge in Germany (specialists in benches), this bench is constructed with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified sustainable wood, and it’s fitted with soft, green LED (light-emitting diode) lighting.

The LEDs require very little energy, and the lighting is subdued so as to not pollute the evening sky with unnecessary illumination.

2. Eco Bus Shelter

Check out this amazing bus shelter that’s been designed by Ramesh Kanth. The Eco-Friendly Bus Shelter is not just a place to hide out from the rain while waiting for the bus, it also comes equipped with a rainwater harvesting system.

Instead of just allowing rain water to flow off of the bus shelter into the stormwater system, rain that falls on this bus shelter lands on the rooftop, gets funneled into an unpaved area which then allows the water to slowly percolate into the groundwater table. It’s another great example of how bus shelters can be remade.

3. Solar Bench

This simple bench design by Solar Inside integrates thin-film solar panels that collect energy throughout the day that provides both wi-fi and power for lights at night.

To add to the green credibility, these benches are made from recycled aluminum and plastic.

4. Biodegradable Biotube Bench

Made from biodegradable recycled cardboard, this Bio Tube Bench designed by Julia Lwin literally grows! He was quoted in Treehugger as saying: “The Biotube bench is really an experimental ‘ephemeral’ or seasonal bench – so it will indeed biodegrade – the real point being the individual (1/4″ thick walled) recycled tubes which are manufactured for rolling carpets and fabrics are perfect containers to grow seedlings from.

The seating concept is really secondary, however in it’s non degraded state it is very durable and quite comfortable.

Each individual seed saturated tube can be positioned in an outdoor urban or domestic environment (the cardboard tubes can be filled with newspaper/soil/sawdust etc to assist with the mulching) add water and sunlight – a garden is formed.

The photo showing the bench with seedlings is an indoor example of how the bench could look before it biodegrades in to an organic mulch bed – as an indoor bench the tubes work very well as a planter!”

5. Petal Bench

From designer Je Sung Park, this Petal Bench is a fantastic creation. Fitted with a solar photovoltaic array, the bench collects sunlight during the day, which it then uses to light up the area at night. Plus, like a blossoming flower, the Petal Bench unfurls as the seats come down to create a fun, cheerful sitting space.

These unique and spunky benches are really a functional replica of nature—they follow the sun during the day, open wide to gather the sunshine, and then they close up like flowers at night as the sun dips below the horizon.

6. Fitness First Outdoor

If eating less is environmentally-friendly (and it is), then this bench is a great solution, though perhaps a bit invasive.

Developed for a Dutch fitness club, the bench weighs people using an internal scale and displays the results—to the whole world! May make you think twice about eating that extra hamburger or those GMO corn tortillas…

7. Heated Outdoor Bench

Made with concrete, this outdoor bench flows with warm, steamy sewage! Pedestrians and commuters no longer have to sit on a stone cold bench while waiting for a ride.

Instead, as the grey water from the local sewage facility flows through it, it stays nice and toasty warm (15 degrees C or about roughly 60 F). The heated outdoor bench was designed by two University of Quebec Design students, Corinne Farmer and Clara Charbonneau’s Béton Armé.

A full 14% of your household energy bill may go to powering your refrigerator. According to the California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center, an inefficient, old refrigerator could add as much as $280 to your monthly utility bill.

So keeping your refrigerator in good working order and running as efficiently as possible will help to save your money month over month. In many cases, you can save money by simply cleaning your refrigerator’s coils, which can easily be a do-it-yourself job depending on your craftiness. Replacing your refrigerator [recycling electronics] might be the better move if your appliance is too old.

Dumping refrigerators is an illegal practice in many states and countries, always make sure you dispose of your old refrigerators in the correct and recommended manner – failing to do so can result in heavy fines and persecution. Please refer to this International Law Firm for advice and guidance on energy law.

1. Recycling Refrigerator

It’s time to recycle your refrigerator and replace with it a new one if it was produced before 2001 (standards for fridges were upgraded that year, making them more efficient). Calculate the potential savings to see whether the investment will be worth it with ENERGY STAR’s Savings Calculator.

Just be sure to recycle your refrigerator so that any toxic refrigerants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are kept from getting into the environment.

2. Know The EnergyGuide Label

An easy way to find out the energy efficiency of a refrigerator is to check out the EnergyGuide label that comes on every new fridge appliance.

These labels estimate the amount of energy the appliance will use every year based on average use (they’re often hanging inside) so that you can quickly compare one model to the other.

3. Stainless Steel Energy Star Kenmore Model

When looking for a new refrigerator, you should seriously consider looking for an ENERGY STAR model. These models must be at least 20% more energy efficient than the federal standards, which will reduce your energy bills every month.

This ENERGY STAR qualified Kenmore model is recommended by Greener Choices of Consumer Reports as one of the best options around. ENERGY STAR models may also qualify you for a rebate from the government, which makes the investment a little cheaper.

4. Bottom Mount Frost Free Refrigerator

Another way to save money with your fridge is to get one that’s smaller. Most of us have refrigerators that are far too large for the number of people in our homes, full of food that will either go bad or that which doesn’t need chilling at all. ENERGY STAR tells us that the most energy efficient models are those that are between 16 and 20 cubic feet.

Cut back on the food you store in a fridge by cleaning it out, buy only what you need for the next week (or month, at most), choose ingredients that are canned or jarred instead of those that need cool preservation, and be sure to eat your leftovers rather than keeping them for months on end. This Avanti refrigerator is 9.2 Cu Ft, has adjustable shelving, dual crispers, and more.

5. GE Energy Star Refrigerator

Another important feature to look for in an energy efficient refrigerator is a top-mounted freezer. According to ENERGY STAR, they use 10-25% less energy than bottom-mount or side-by-side models.

This GE model refrigerator is ENERGY STAR qualified, has a top-mount fridge, and many other energy-saving features.