digimills

These balls are meant for living, although probably just for a night or two as they have no bathroom, little room, sway when you move among other problems. The more I read the free spirit spheres website, the safer an ewok village sounds.

” Spheres can be hung from the trees as shown or from any other solid objects like buildings or rock faces. A web of rope is connected to any strong points available. This replaces the foundation of a conventional building. A suspended tree house uses the forest for its foundation. “

link (via stylehive)

A little is lost in translation, but the Chinese designers want to bring a more natural feeling to the family food box.

“People can pick up a fruit from a tree. Another is like a bird house. Doors can slide away when a hand is placed in front of it. It’s funny how one can draw out an egg from a bird’s nest. There is also a special device designed at the foot of the door, when people step on it, a wheel with small motor will slide the door open.
“

I’m not sure if it’d save or waste more energy than a standard frig. There’s multiple refrigerators here, but it might be better than opening one large door every time you want something.

link (via gadget garden)

Props to Ed Begley, Jr.

Hopefully his show furthers all the environmentally friendly pop-culture that seems to be popular lately.

“This first-of-its-kind reality green show chronicles life with an earth-friendly fanatic with humor and heart.”

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They hope to get the cost to around 2,000 pounds, fully installed, which will pay for itself in about two years.

“The contraption is designed to be used in small rivers or streams - ideal for potentially thousands of homes across Britain. It is the first off-the-shelf waterwheel system which can generate a good supply of electricity from a water fall as little as 20cm.”

I’d love to get one of these set up. Would love to have a house with a stream though too!

link (via hippyshopper)

If you haven’t seen Who Killed the Electric Car?, add it to your netflix today. If you have, you’ll know all about this car’s predecessor, the EV-1. Apparently the Chevrolet Volt will be a little better, but you’d hope so since this one won’t be ready for at least 15 years after the EV-1 debuted (and was quickly and literally crushed).

“If you lived within 30 miles from work (60 miles round trip) and charged your vehicle every night when you came home or during the day at work, you would get 150 miles per gallon,” Lutz said. “More than half of all Americans live within 20 miles of where they work (40 miles round trip). In that case, you might never burn a drop of gas during the life of the car.”

Here’s hoping this comes out very soon and no assholes kill it.

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The virtual model seen above was created by a Canadian company called Verdier who won the won the Special Prize from the Jury at the Caravaning Desing Award 2006/2007, Innovation for new mobility in Germany.

Looks like it would take about an hour to fold everything back up! Check out the computer generated video.

link (via autospies)

The NY Times had an editorial today pointing out a few of the environmental problems livestock pose. The two major issues:

-Global livestock grazing and feed production use “30 percent of the land surface of the planet.”
-livestock are responsible for about 18 percent of the global warming effect, more than transportation’s contribution.

The article states “the human passion for meat is certainly not about to end anytime soon,” but hopefully we are able to cut into that addiction.

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“BioBags are 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable bags made from the material, Mater-Bi. They will decompose in a controlled composting environment in 10-45 days, leaving no harmful residues behind.”

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Visit the Audubon’s Living Ocean’s site, print out a wallet card and the next time you are at a restaurant or in the supermarket, pick out an environmentally responsible species to eat.

I had seen these ’seafood watch’ cards in the past, but was reminded of them when reading “Uncle Mark’s Gift Guide & Almanac” (page 26). Check out the rest of their gift suggestions and general tips here [PDF].

link (via Uncle Mark’s almanac)

The Magenn Power Air Rotor System (MARS) is a helium floated device that generates electricity through wind-powered rotors.

It’s in the first steps of development and the company is planning to demonstrate a 4 KW prototype in the latter part of 2006.

Looks good for the backcountry and a little less pollution. I’m guessing it won’t be affordable for a good 2-3 years.

link (via gizmowatch)

Greenpeace put together this South Park video with the boys as sea creatures to support the Bottom Trawling UN moratorium. The writing could be a bit better, but the animation is plenty entertaining.

link (via hugg)