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1. From Patent Protection To Patent Sharing
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2. African Seed Bank Deposits Arrive In Norway
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3. It Doesn't Take a Genius: 'Power to the Pedal' Design Competition Underway
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4. What is a Swale?
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5. Gooc: Recovered Tires and Fabrics Footwear from a Vietnamese in Brazil
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6. When is a Tree More Than Just a Tree
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7. But Is It Organic?
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8. Another Benefit Of Hybrids: Discounted Tolls
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9. African Project To Revive Depleted Soils
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10. The Economist on Ultracaps and Tribrids
From Patent Protection To Patent Sharing
2008-02-04 13:44
Business & Politics
Taking their inspiration from the success of free and open-source software, where information sharing has led to the bountiful new product creation, IBM, Nokia, Pitney-Bowes and Sonya have created the Eco-Patent Commons to share their environmental patents. In this open-source domain administered by the WBCSD, registered companies can contribute technology patents that benefit the environment but don't represent an essential source of business advantage for them. Until today there has been no organized effort to make patents available, without royalty, to help enable the world community to reduce waste, pollution, global warming, and energy demands. Their interest in this i... 
African Seed Bank Deposits Arrive In Norway
2008-02-04 13:26
botanical
TreeHugger April updated us on construction of an international seed bank (shown here in front view) in her post called Chilling Down Svalbard's Seed Saver. This followed Tim's post on the early planning stages called Norway Seed Bank: A Hedge Against Food Loss. The shelves are up, and the first load of seeds, from Africa, are enroute for long term storage in Norway. 
Twe... 
It Doesn't Take a Genius: 'Power to the Pedal' Design Competition...
2008-02-04 13:13
Cars & Transportation
Design 21: social design network works "to bring designers and non-profits together to create, share and discuss socially responsible design." In partnership with UNESCO, they have brought us the Heated Issue: A Global Warming Design and the DESIGN 21 Logo Competitions. The success of those contests,... 
What is a Swale?
2008-02-04 13:00
Design & Architecture
In this video from The Permaculture Research Institute, Geoff Lawton explains the simple yet elegant concept that is the swale. Formally defined by Bill Mollison as "long, level excavations, which can vary greatly in width and treatment from small ridges in gardens, rock-piles across slope, or deliberately-excavated hollows in flatlands and low-slope landscapes," the actual function of the swale is so simple and effective that it's a wonder we don't see more o... 
Gooc: Recovered Tires and Fabrics Footwear from a Vietnamese in Brazil
2008-02-04 12:07
Fashion & Beauty
These beautiful sandals from recovered tires are produced by Brazilian brand Gooc. Even though we've seen lots of designs with recovered tires, these ones are special not only because they're great looking, but also for the story behind them. Gooc was founded by Thai Quang Nghia, a native from Vietnam who was rescued from a small boat at high sea near South-East Asia by a Petrobras ship (Brazil's largest petrol company). With only 21 years old, the Vietnamese was taken to Brazil without speaking a word of Portuguese and soon found a home and a way to make a living. Keep reading and find many more pics in the extended...... 
When is a Tree More Than Just a Tree
2008-02-04 11:15
Business & Politics
When Anne Frank wrote her poignant diaries whilst in hiding from the Nazis during World War 2, she often mentioned the chestnut tree that she could see from her attic window. In her captivity, it was a source of hope and comfort: "The two of us looked out at the blue sky, the bare chestnut tree glistening with dew...and we were so moved and entranced that we couldn't speak." But now the 150 year old tree is dying, and is only expected to stand for another 15 years at most. The owner of the next door property where it is located wanted to have it cut down. A battle over its future erupted between those who felt that it... 
But Is It Organic?
2008-02-04 03:20
food
Nitrogen gas makes up the vast majority of the air we breathe, around 78% by volume. Yet for most of biological life on earth nitrogen is difficult to obtain for a useful purpose. To become part of plants and animals it must first be fixed. Lightning strikes can fix nitrogen, some plants have evolved relationships with fungi and bacteria to fix nitrogen or we have been known to add artificial or natural fertilizer. But not all fertilizers are created equal. ... 
Another Benefit Of Hybrids: Discounted Tolls
2008-02-03 22:42
Cars & Transportation
We recently reported that the state of Ohio is "changing laws that allow any hybrid into the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lane." What this means is that only those "hybrids that improve mileage by 50 percent in the city or 25 percent overall" compared to non-hybrid models will be allowed into HOV lanes. The notion that any hybrid-no matter how efficient-should be allowed into an HOV lane even if occupied by o... 
African Project To Revive Depleted Soils
2008-02-03 20:14
food
A five-year, $180 million project to revitalize the soils and agricultural sector of sub-Saharan Africa has been launched in Nairobi, Kenya. The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa's (AGRA) Soil Health Program will work with 4.1 million farmers to regenerate 6.3m hectares of farmland, which have been degraded by unsustainable farming practices in the last few decades. "Currently, farm yield in Africa is one-quarter of the global average, and one-third of Africans face chronic hunger," says Dr. Namanga Ngongi, president of AGRA. "We know that the use of high quality seeds, combined with the rejuvenation of A... 
The Economist on Ultracaps and Tribrids
2008-02-03 19:24
alternative energy
The Economist does a good summary of ultracapacitors, saying "A new version of an old idea is threatening the battery industry." It first covers the XH-150 "Tribrid" covered in TreeHugger here, and then continues: 
Eventually, the so-called ultracapacitors on which the XH-150 is based may supplant rather than merely supplement a car's batteries. And if that happens, a lot of other batteries may be for the chop, too. For it is possible that the long and expensive search for a better battery to power... 
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