Posted on 30 July 2009
Babies spend most of their time sleeping, so it makes nothing but sense to outfit their sleeping quarters with the best in bambino bedding. In my world, “best” means the softest, coziest organic cotton possible. And like most gear for the miniature set, organic bedding options are vast and somewhat overwhelming. Whether you’re the traditional type who adheres to the pink-girls/blue-boys paradigm, a non-conformist who seeks out bold gender-neutral colors and patterns or a commitment-phobe who can’t decide on a look and so chooses plain, boring, masking tape-colored sheets (no, I’m not proud), you can easily create an organic cotton dreamland for your little one. Check out these organic options:

You have big goals for the nursery—a Technicolor alphabet hand stenciled on one wall, a freshly painted rocking chair, a carefully selected collection of stuffed animals strategically placed on shelves—but I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to cheat a bit. Really, start cheating. Soon you’re going to need your energy for more important undertakings, like wiping baby vomit off the living room couch. It’s not necessary to race around in search of the perfect sheet, bumper, crib skirt and comforter. Take the easy route with BeBe Star’s 4 Piece Lamb Organic Cotton Crib Set ($255). The color scheme is neutral natural with just a bit of jazzy lamb-themed patterning to spice things up.

Those with racier sensibilities may prefer Q Collection’s Junior Celestial Parade Organic Crib Set ($395, Babyearth.com). The blue, yellow and white collection is clean and modern with a Galileo pattern on one side and an elephant pattern on the other—reversible as you see fit. The set includes a bumper, crib skirt, fitted cream sheet and your choice of an additional blue or pink sheet all made from organic cotton and packed in an incredibly cute reusable organic cotton tote. [Spoiler alert for my pregnant friends: this set is officially at the top of my baby shower gift list.]

If sets aren’t your thing (you’re not alone—we all know there’s no way I could have committed to a set), Pixel Organic makes some killer individual fitted sheets for cribs, toddler beds and big kid beds too. If I could do it again, I would have insisted that W slumber on this super cool orange “Stalk of Wheat” sheet ($59.99) and would have alternated it with “Lions, Tigers and Kitties . . . Oh My.” ($59.99).
Feeling safe and simple? I did. And W’s got six soft, plain organic cotton sheets to show for it. DwellStudio, known for their bright patterns, also makes a solid Organic Natural Fitted Crib Sheet ($44). You just can’t go wrong with neutral natural.
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Posted on 30 July 2009

Eco Factor: Pedal-powered system to increase the awareness on the use of bicycles.
Considering the rise in the cost of fossil fuels and the increase in environmental awareness, people have started thinking more about traditional transportation systems that in one way or the other were based on the use of pedal power. However, tempting people to forget all about horsepower and think about their own power isn’t as easy as it seems. DIYers and inventors have been developing machines that run on pedal power and are in some way or the other promoting the bike culture.
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Posted on 30 July 2009

Eco Factor: Batteries capable of storing over 20KWh of electricity being developed.
You may be possessing the world’s largest rooftop solar array, but all that energy is no good until you possess the world’s largest battery bank as well, which can store all that power and give it some purpose. The amount of energy generated from renewable sources is on a rise, but the conventional battery technology isn’t keeping up the same pace, at least not at the same cost. Researchers in Utah-based Ceramatec have found an answer in a disc-shaped battery that can store up to 20KWh of power – enough to power an average home for most of the day.
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Posted on 30 July 2009
Eco Factor: Low-emission car powered by a gas/electric hybrid engine.
The makers of the world’s fastest car, Shelby SuperCars, have announced its plans to develop the world’s fastest EV, with the development of a hybrid motorhome. The company wants to develop a hybrid vehicle with an all electric range of 150 miles and a combined hybrid range of 500 miles.
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Posted on 30 July 2009

Eco Factor: Rainwater harvesting systems and green walls envisioned for Canada Pavilion.
The vast expanse of Canada Pavilion, which rests at around 6,000 square meters, is being envisioned to be sustainable before it welcomes 30,000 visitors per day during the Shanghai Expo 2010, which will be a six-month long event.
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Posted on 30 July 2009

Eco Factor: India to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by 2050.
Developing countries like India and China are among the most polluting nations of the world. The only thing that can brighten these nations is the use of renewable energy at a scale no one has ever thought of before. Being the seventh largest country of the world, India receives about 5,000 trillion KWhs of solar energy each day, which is put to good use, can well provide more electricity than the country actually requires.
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Posted on 30 July 2009

Eco Factor: Energy-efficient housing complex designed for Europe.
Dutch architect Koen Olthius, of Waterstudio, has envisioned a modern prefabricated housing complex to solve the problem of rising and falling tides, which the Dutch have been fighting for centuries. Instead of expensive means to contain tides and prevent water from flooding the low-lying areas, Koen is working on completely different approach – floating housing complexes.
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Posted on 30 July 2009

Eco Factor: Concept vehicle is driven by electric motors.
British designer Peter Spriggs has come up with a concept vehicle that is friendly to disabled people along with being equally friendly to the environment. The Setra 700 Series vehicle is powered by a 225kw zero emission electric motor producing 400bhp and 600ft/lb (800nm) of torque placed between rear axles in its tri-axle setup. The Lithium-Ion batteries are mounted low down under the luggage compartment, which helps in constant weight distribution.
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Posted on 30 July 2009

Eco Factor: Portable lamp powered by solar energy.
The Lora is a portable lamp that will light your path with power sucked from the sun. The lamp can be placed on the ground or on a table like auxiliary lighting, thereby function both indoors and outdoors. It’s provided with four 3.5V, 20mAh LEDs, emitting white-color heat, which diffuse soft and glossed light. The LEDs are fed by a 3.7V, 650mAh battery which is connected to the flexible photovoltaic panel covered by a plastic layer.
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Posted on 30 July 2009

Eco Factor: Light utility vehicle can be driven by zero emission electric motors and pedal power.
The rapidly increasing urban pollution is a problem which requires attention and demands cautiousness in every step we take. The Road Star-S seems to be an attempt to provide an answer to this problem. It’s a hybrid vehicle, powered by pedal power and an electric motor. In both ways, being a zero emission vehicle, it’s friendly towards the environment. Basically, the vehicle is meant for those who require a transportation medium for their routine rides like to their workplace or for ferrying children to school etc.
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Posted on 30 July 2009

Eco Factor: An organic educational model harness clean solar energy.
Designer Johanna Schönberger’s ‘Solar Grid’ combines the flexible thin-film technology and basalt fibers into a meticulous piece of structure that aims at providing double functionality at a time. The structure not only harness energy from sunlight but also provides an excellent opportunity of learning by working as a free organic model of education. Basalt fiber makes the design cheaper, but ensures durability that of similar to carbon fibers. This is because of the fact that these fibers have better physicomechanical properties than fiberglass.
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