BY: CAROLINE ROLF It has baffled climate specialists why despite the solid evidence about the dangers of global warming, much of the public remains unconvinced and the government unwilling to translate these warnings into major action. In order to understand…
Take a look inside New York City’s first net-zero energy public school
BY: CAROLINE ROLF Before you step foot in the front doors, it’s clear that this is not a typical place of learning. The roof, which is covered in hundreds of solar energy converting panels and the unique floor plan help the…
A young couple quits the city life to start an off-grid homestead completely from scratch
BY: ALYSSA CRAFT What in the world would inspire two city dwellers to shun the city lifestyle for one so completely opposite that it would test their ultimate survival skills? Meet Jesse and Alyssa, who decided to leave behind everything…
This family lives in a sustainable and edible green-house home of the future
BY: ALEX BROWN A professor the University of Rotterdam’s Sustainable Building Technology program recently offered an opportunity to Netherland families to participate in a groundbreaking project that would span three years and completely uproot the participating family by relocating them…
In a country that values boys, one village honours girls and the environment in a unique way
BY: CAROLINE ROLF Every culture holds its own unique celebration when a child is born. In a society where the birth of a girl is far less celebrated than the birth of a boy, one village in India shows their…
This new preschool will teach kids to grow their own food
BY: JESSICA BEUKER The traditional school structure has long been one of “textbook” learning rather than hands-on learning, where practical experience acts as the teacher. Paired with a societal shift towards convenience and technology, we have cut off some of…
This is the first state in India to switch to 100% organic farming
BY: MARIYA GUZOVA People living in Sikkim, India don’t have to make a trip to Whole Foods to get their hands on organic produce. That’s because the entire state now only farms organic food, the first in all of India.…
These edible and sustainably grown lampshades are literally made out of mushrooms
BY: ALEX BROWN Between 2011 and 2015, Danielle Trofe’s design firm claimed broad accolades from high-minded and international award committees—15 in total. Her product demanded the attention of a worldwide community of environmentalists, designers, and sustainability-oriented progressives, likely for its…
$20,000 dream homes are being built in this Georgia town where 70% of public land is edible
BY: ALEX BROWN One summer weekend in 1991, Steve and Marie Nygren took their children to the Georgia woods on the outskirts of Atlanta, a broad growth of mossy poplars and cedar stretching through the fat stink of red soil…
This revolutionary company is sparing animals while letting you eat all the meat you want
BY: CAROLINE ROLF Just as the car industry abolished the horse and buggy with a motor, this company plans to put a stop to the meat industry… with meat. When it comes to making decisions, society is quick to choose…
These alternative burial methods will use your body to heal the environment long after death
BY: CAROLINE ROLF It’s never too early to start thinking about our death. If you practice the traditional Tibetan sky burial in which the deceased are carried to a remote location in the mountains where the body is left for…
Attention Stoners: Hemp sunglasses are an eco-friendly way to hide your red eyes
BY: CAROLINE ROLF Is there any product today that can’t be made with hemp? We’ve seen this member of the grass family used in the creation of cars, homes and even the electric scooter. So what’s next in the market…
Couple builds beautiful glass greenhouse around entire home for all-year growing
BY: JESSICA BEUKER Cold winter months in Sweden, which sit at an average of minus two degrees Celsius (27 degrees Fahrenheit), come with a few issues. So, realizing that the cold weather cost them money to heat their home, and…
How floating “science cities” will change the world
When we think of the future, our minds often go to hovering cars and teleportation- to science. We are slowly learning to put our faith in a better tomorrow through technology. But for some inspired scientists, this process is happening…
This is how a small Japanese town recycles, reuses or composts 83 per cent of all waste
The impacts of human industry and waste are largely only realized after the damage has been done. As they say, hindsight is 20/20. Yet remaining ahead of the curve, especially in terms of environmental issues, is critical. This was the…
This eco-conscious community built earth ships & never had to pay utility bills again
BY: JOHNATHAN MOSS Why pay for electricity, heat, and water when Mother Nature provides wind, rain, and solar energy for absolutely free? This is the question that concerned Michael Reynolds as soon as he graduated architectural school in 1972. Reynolds…
This company will mail a pre-made earth-ship to your doorstep
Constructing your home to work with the earth has benefits that far outreach just the cost. Earth-ships are designed to use the soil as natural insulation, and to catch storm water, maintaining an optimal temperature while keeping the utilities costs…
A $300 underground greenhouse offers a year-round DIY growing sanctuary
BY: EDITORS For growers unlucky enough to be living at high elevations or further than arms length from the equator, frost and cold relentless winds are constant enemies. Twenty years ago in the mountainous regions of South America, frustrated growers…
Young couple lives in a solar-powered off-grid yurt in the mountains of Montana (video)
BY: ROB HOFFMAN In the frozen northern tip of Montana, Sean Busby can be found most days chopping firewood or casting line from his fly-fishing rod deep in the woods and up to his knees in the cold running stream…
Good news: Austria’s largest state just reached 100% renewable energy status
BY: ZOE MELNYK Austria’s lower and largest state recently entered the world’s green energy game by becoming 100 per cent reliant on renewable energy sources. With the Danube River coming down from the country’s large mountain chain, flowing violently through…