Why Dell and Steelcase are using mushrooms and agricultural waste

Ecovative’s cofounders Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre developed the company’s trademark RestoreTM Mushroom® Packaging that is made only of plant-based agricultural waste and mushroom roots.

30 October 2012

http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2012/10/30/why-dell-steelcase-using-mushrooms-agricultural-waste

Threat to sue over Allerton waste plant

Residents who claim their homes have been devalued by plans for a waste incinerator say they will sue a council for compensation if it goes ahead.

30 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-20131774

Parks and green space are precious, but should councils have to pay for them?

The social and health benefits of parks are clear. However, urban green space is under threat from budget cuts

30 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/oct/30/parks-green-space-councils-pay

Can A Mutant Electric Half-Car, Half-Motorcycle Disrupt The Vehicle Market?

The Lit C-1 doesn’t look like any car you’ve ever seen, but it still can go 120 mph and gets 200 miles on each charge.

29 October 2012
http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680779/can-a-mutant-electric-half-car-half-motorcycle-disrupt-the-vehicle-market#1

Sweden Needs More Trash, Because It Has Turned All It’s Got Into Energy

What happens when a recycling plan is too successful? Sweden does such a good job recycling and turning its waste to energy that it has started importing trash from its neighbors.

25 October 2012

http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680763/sweden-needs-more-trash-because-it-has-turned-all-its-got-into-energy

Great City: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Unveil Plans For China's First Self-Sufficient, Carless City

A self-sustaining satellite city that offers a solution to the problems of overburdened infrastructure and high pollution levels that assail many of China’s major urban centers.

25 October 2012

http://inhabitat.com/great-city-adrian-smith-gordon-gill-unveil-plans-for-chinas-first-self-sufficient-carless-city/

Greening Cities Through the Power of Public Urination

Ever walk down the street and notice a sad, brownish scrub of a plant? Just pee on it!

24 October 2012

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/technology/2012/10/greening-cities-through-power-public-urination/3695/#

Gas flaring target of London conference

A conference in London on Wednesday aims to press oil firms to reduce gas flaring - the burning of natural gas at oil production sites.

24 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20055041

Levitt Bernstein's Pop-Up HAWSE Proposal Transforms London's Unused Garages into Temporary Housing

The project would be delivered through an apprenticeship scheme with components manufactured off-site as a kit of parts, making the structures are quick to assemble and able to be inhabited immediately—with the components being demountable and reusable.

24 October 2012

http://inhabitat.com/levitt-bernsteins-pop-up-hawse-proposal-transforms-londons-unused-garages-into-temporary-housing/

We must impose a carbon limit on new electricity generation here and now

Investing in renewables – not gas – will allow the UK to emerge from recession and meet carbon targets

23 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/23/carbon-limit-electricity-generation

UK public favours wind turbines over shale gas wells, poll finds

More than two-thirds of people would rather have a wind turbine than a shale gas well near their home

23 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/23/wind-shale-gas-icm-poll

Future of UK nuclear power hangs in the balance, says EDF boss

The company says it is waiting for government reassurances before going ahead with a nuclear construction programme

23 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/23/future-nuclear-power-uk-edf

Evolution or gentrification: Do urban farms lead to higher rents?

“Don’t you ever worry that your work in community gardening is contributing to gentrification?”

23 October 2012

http://grist.org/food/evolution-or-gentrification-do-urban-farms-lead-to-higher-rents/

Chinese protesters clash with police over power plant

Dozens injured and many detained as police fire teargas at Hainan residents in China's latest environmental dispute

22 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/22/chinese-protesters-power-plant

Can the Isle of Wight start a power revolution?

The island has taken its first steps towards a smart grid that will reduce electricity consumption and manage renewables

22 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/22/isle-of-wight-energy

Filling a Void in Warsaw

THREE years ago, Jakub Szczesny, a Polish architect, was walking through the old Jewish ghetto in Warsaw when he came upon what he described as an “appealing cushion of air” between a prewar apartment building and an 11-story postwar co-op.

22 October 2012

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/25/greathomesanddestinations/in-warsaw-a-creative-home-fills-a-void.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1351249410-SFHBqazLVeA/ZAbcReEguw

Siemens pulls out of loss-making solar power business

German industrial group to concentrate renewable energy business on wind and hydroelectric power

22 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/oct/22/siemens-pulls-out-loss-solar-power

Does Density Make Cities More Affordable? Alex Steffen Thinks So

As long as there is more demand than supply, prices rise.

22 October 2012

http://www.treehugger.com/urban-design/does-density-make-cities-more-affordable-alex-steffen-thinks-so.html

Every part of our society depends on energy. Yet we don't have a plan

Cutting household costs is vital, but that can only be part of a much wider approach to how we keep the nation going

21 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/21/andrew-simms-green-deal-energy

Green deal: households to get up to £1,000 for insulation

Cashback announcement aims to kickstart scheme to pay homeowners to undertake energy efficiency improvements

19 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/19/green-deal-cashback-energy-efficiency

Saudi Arabia reveals plans to be powered entirely by renewable energy

World's biggest oil producer says it wants to make a 100% switch from fossil fuels to clean energy

19 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/19/saudi-arabia-renewable-energy-oil

Falklands to start producing oil by 2017

Rockhopper says £600m tie-up with Premier Oil means it is on track to start pumping oil from Sea Lion prospect in five years

19 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/oct/19/falklands-start-producing-oil-2017-rockhopper

UK faces fine on EU water breach

The UK faces fines for breaching EU law on water treatment after plants in northern England and in London dumped raw sewage into waterways.

18 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19995081

UK's year of drought and flooding unprecedented, experts say

The scale of drought recovery in 2012 has 'not been seen before', says Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

18 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/18/summer-drought-flooding-unprecedented

Madagascar palm trees at risk of extinction, study finds

A majority of Madagascar's palms face extinction due to land clearing, an environment protection group says.

17 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19985536

EU acts against harm from biofuel crops

The EU is changing its policy on biofuels to encourage energy production from waste rather than from food crops.

17 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19982214

Energy policy negotiated as coalition leaders meet to discuss green agenda

Cameron and Clegg concerned about threats by major investment companies that they might leave the UK

17 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/17/energy-policy-coalition-green-agenda 

Cornwall and Scotland hold UK's wave power potential

Cornwall's Atlantic coast and the west coast of Scotland came top in a report which maps sites with the most promise

17 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/17/cornwall-scotland-uk-wave-power

Solar-Powered, Carbon Neutral Earth-Bermed House is Made Entirely Out of Recycled Materials

Allan Shope designed this gorgeous earth-bermed home in upstate New York

16 October 2012

http://inhabitat.com/nyc/solar-powered-and-carbon-neutral-earth-bermed-house-is-made-entirely-out-of-recycled-materials/

Spain Prestige oil spill disaster case in court

The trial has begun in northern Spain of the captain of the Prestige oil tanker that sank in 2002, causing the country's worst environmental disaster.

16 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19952329

Why the Daily Mail was wrong to claim global warming has stopped

Newspaper's claim that 'world stopped getting warmer almost 16 years ago' is simply wrong, says Met Office

16 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/16/daily-mail-global-warming-stopped-wrong

On The Campaign Trail, Regulations Dominate The Environmental Debate

Smoke rises from the stacks of the La Cygne Generating Station coal-fired power plant in La Cygne, Kan. President Obama's regulation of the coal industry has come under fire from his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney.

14 October 2012

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2012/10/14/162811669/on-the-campaign-trail-regulations-dominate-the-environmental-debate

Environmental science agencies told to help oil firms drilling in polar regions

Natural Environment Research Council says science agencies should help 'de-risk' investment by UK oil companies

14 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/14/environmental-science-agencies-oil-polar

British Gas raises green electricity bills

Electric bills on a sustainable energy tariff to go up 11%, energy company announces

12 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/12/british-gas-green-energy-prices

A bad harvest, rising prices … isn't it time to change the way food is done?

We need to face up to the reality of climate change's effects on food production and let the era of big farming come to an end

12 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/12/bad-harvest-rising-prices

London bee numbers 'could be too high'

There may be too many bees in the capital, the London Beekeepers Association (LBKA) has said

 12 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19913180

Norway to double carbon tax on oil industry

Extra funding for climate change mitigation and forestry programmes also part of oil-rich nation's radical programme

11 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/11/norway-carbon-tax-oil

Why do we play down the horror of climate change?

Jonathon Porritt wonders why we moderate the 'scary' impacts of global warming to avoid alienating people

11 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/11/why-play-down-horror-climate-change

Can science help improve food security?

Farming and retail experts warn that this year's poor UK's harvest is going to trigger a rise in food prices on supermarket shelves

11 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19909246

How a Little changed a lot in Clapton Park estate

The gardening and community exploits of John Little, of Grass Roof Company, transformed a once 'tough and rough' estate

11 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2012/oct/11/clapton-park-estate-john-little

Alex Salmond launches £103m renewable energy fund

The fund will initially focus on wave and tidal energy as well as renewable district heating

10 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-19886553

US researchers map carbon emissions at street level

US scientists have developed new software that can accurately measure greenhouse gas emissions down to individual buildings and streets

10 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19875516

Stealth density

Barbara Bestor's Blackbirds gives a single-family look to high-density housing that puts pedestrians and cyclists first.

10 October 2012

http://archpaper.com/news/articles.asp?id=6296

Aid Groups Push for Clean Energy Policies

The World Wildlife Fund and Oxfam are getting into the lobbying arena as climate change looms larger in the communities they serve

8 October 2012

http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/aid-groups-push-for-clean-energy-policies/?ref=sustainableliving

Climate change: EU rebrands green energy campaign

The EU has launched a campaign aimed at showing how low-carbon solutions can improve quality of life

8 October 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19868580 

Dignifying Design

An aspiring social entrepreneur, Mr. Murphy was hoping to put his design degree to use by apprenticing with the humanitarian architects aiding Dr. Farmer’s work

6 October 2012

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/opinion/sunday/dignifying-design.html?_r=0

World's tallest skyscraper to be built with ready-made 'Meccano' pieces

A Chinese company plans to build the world’s tallest skyscraper in just seven months using pre-fabricated components slotted together like a Meccano toy.

5 October 2012

http://www.dezeen.com/2012/10/05/chinese-company-promises-220-storey-meccano-skyscraper/

Zero amenities, yet census towns hit the property jackpot

The land prices in Chandpur have risen 10-fold in the last decade

4 October 2012

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/364m2CaVtj2HoR88spSpNM/Zero-amenities-yet-census-towns-hit-the-property-jackpot.html

Plan to build UK's first building entirely out of waste

Grand Designs' model ecohouse to be rebuilt in Brighton city centre using local construction and industrial waste

3 October 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/03/brighton-waste-building-project-grand-designs

Why Your Car Isn’t Electric

It will come as no surprise to hear that only a tiny fraction — less than 1 percent — of cars driving along American roads are fully electric

2 October 2012

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/magazine/why-your-car-isnt-electric.html?_r=0