I’ve long been interested in the tiny house movement and admired the homes and the resolve of those who live in them. I am particularly fond of tiny houses with wheels, but that is another story altogether. My family of… Read More »Tiny Houses & the Shed Project
Greendrinks.org describes itself as an organic, self-organising network of people interested in green living and/or who work in the environmental field. It’s a great place to meet people who view the environment the way you do. I’ve attended the Newlands… Read More »I’m loving Greendrinks.org
I have another great green giveaway for you. Dennis Publishing and Magbook are giving away 5 copies of their new Green Living Guide by Hugh Bowring to EcoStreet readers. Did you know that… Turning down the thermostat by 1C can… Read More »UK Giveaway: Green Living Guide
It’s Earth Day today, and I’m delighted to be giving away five Energy Seals, worth $16 each, from the very generous Powered Green to 5 of our US readers. An Energy Seal is a sticker made from recycled aluminium that… Read More »Earth Day giveaway: Five Powered Green Energy Seals
During the recent UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen our world leaders failed to agree on a climate deal. But we all know it’s not only up to them and there are plenty of things that we mere mortals can do… Read More »I do 30 – do you?
We’re giving away two tickets to see ‘Radical Nature‘ at the Barbican in London. It’s the first exhibition to bring together key figures across different generations who have created utopian works and inspiring solutions for our ever-changing planet. Radical Nature… Read More »Win tickets to see ‘Radical Nature’ at the Barbican
Ever wondered what the future of green looks like? Insider Trends has, and it’s set up an event to find out the answer. It’s called ‘Interesting Things For Interesting People: The Future of Green’, and it’ll be a fast, furious… Read More »Find out the Future of Green from those in the know
The most distinctive quality of the urban environment lies in its landscape. Each individual city has its own sense of character, unique infrastructure, and physical presence. As the urban setting becomes increasingly advanced, we are leaving behind our roots – the tree canopy coverage in the developed city is declining. At present, many of world’s greatest cities lack substantial plant life. This observation isn’t just aesthetic, it is harmful on many levels. An increase in tree canopy coverage may require some painstaking effort to succeed, but could have enormous benefit if it does. Incorporating trees into the urban environment would serve to reduce the amount of fossil fuels we burn and ease the damage of deforestation – the two main roots of climate change. Right now, homes and other buildings account for 30% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the North America. Design and sustainability, both significant community objectives, can’t be sacrificed for one another. They must work together.
The city doesn’t “breathe” as well as a forest, contributing large quantities of carbon to the atmosphere with few sources of absorption. The earth, in order to give warmth to support life, needs a reasonable amount of greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide appears naturally in the atmosphere, exhaled by humans and involved in the photosynthesis of plants. Carbon is kept in check by a natural carbon cycle, a system which creates a balance between the carbon emitters (humans), and the carbon absorbers (plants). Oceans, land and air are all involved in the process.
