green

The Journey – Wood Recycling Project

Interests, Life

This video caught my attention because I’m interested in reusing old materials. My focus for this summer is going to be “Making it work with what you have”. I’ve been interested in reusing old barn wood for new projects. I have an old barn in my back yard, I just need to find a project! The old wood just has so much character to it. the tree it was made from grew here in the civil war and maybe earlier. It may take more work to use, but I think we all need to realize that being sustainable is going to take a little bit more work.

This is a video from The Journey. A non-funded documentary project that travels around by bike and shoots little videos about sustainable local environmental projects. I think it’s really exciting that some people aren’t out screaming about how bad the world has gotten, they just decided that if something is going to change then we’re going to have to do it ourselves.

via treehugger

Solar Decathlon Preview

Interests, Life
North House

North House

Team Canada

Team Canada

filtration?

filtration?

Team Germany

Team Germany

Awesome Deck

Awesome Deck

Silo House

Silo House

Construction

Construction

West End

West End

Artificial Wetlands

Artificial Wetlands

I heard that the Solar Decathlon was back in town this year, but I didn’t know the dates. I didn’t want to miss it, so at lunch today Phil and I walked over to check out what’s going on. I think it starts next week, so they’re really coming together. They look so much more complicated than in previous years. I think they’ve really brought their A-game this year. It was cool to see the funcitoning artificial wetlands and water conservation systems. I didn’t have a good camera so I had to use my cell. I’ll come back next week when it’s really going so I can get a tour of the homes and get better pictures.

Maybe I’ll bring wade for some joint Swalrus Network coverage.

I might have to buy National Geographic this month.

Interests, Life

I found this video for the new issue of National Geographic, it’s about photographers trying to capture the giant redwoods. I know you’re thinking… just take a picture of them. I thought that before I had been there. It’s really something that everyone should experience in person. I have plenty of pictures of us standing by the base of these trees, but they don’t convey the awesome power of a living thing that’s over a hundred feet tall.

Off to see the wizard!

Off to see the wizard!

via Engadget

Catch of the day – Surfrider Foundation

Life, Rants
Catch of the Day

Catch of the Day

Sometimes its embarrassing when I see how much garbage is just floating around my neighborhood and I live in a pretty expensive place. (not my house per say, but others) But that’s nothing compared to the trash that accumulates on our beaches.  I don’t know the solution, but I’m pretty sure its time to stop using the ocean as a toilet and garbage disposal. These are a series of ads from the Surfrider Foundation that really get the message home.

via osocio.org

Mark want electric bike.

Entertainment, The Interweb

EVX7

I’ve read about electric motorcycles that are supposed to be coming out before. But usually I get all excited when I see that they have a top speed of 120mph… but a range of 50 miles. Or they can charge in 10 minutes… but top out at 30mph… or cost $10,000. I finally think there’s one that may be different, I just read about it on Treehugger.

I don’t want to get too excited because it’s a Japanese company and who knows when it’ll come out over here. But it has a top speed of 92mph, a range of 110 miles, and can be recharged in 6 hours. Perfect for commuting. As an added bonus it totally looks like the the motorcycles from Akira, I would totally buy one!

TreeHugger.com Article

Later!

Mark