Eco Factor: World’s largest cruise ship designed to minimize waste and consume 25% less power.
After two and a half years of construction and environmental consideration, the world’s largest cruise ship commissioned by Royal Caribbean International has set sail. Dubbed Oasis of the Seas, the mammoth cruise liner began its maiden voyage to Florida after gliding out from a shipyard in Finland.
Eco Factor: Solar-powered lighting system.
Designed by Mu-kai Shen, the Solar Table is prototype furniture that uses a solar panel as the tabletop. On exposure to sunlight, the solar panel produces electricity, which is then stored in an onboard battery.
Eco Factor: 1959 Cadillac Eldorado inspired bicycle showcased at Toronto Cycle Show.
We’ve regularly reported on the latest ways to do your bit for the environment by riding a bicycle. The creations included everything from folding bicycles to concept designs that you can carry in a backpack. Here is another way you can keep your love for cars buzzing, even when you’re riding a zero-emission bicycle.
Eco Factor: Building designed to grow food hydroponically on frame structures.
Many architects and researchers believe that with the land available for farming decreasing continuously, the future of farming rests in skyscrapers that are designed specifically for growing food. Designers at VEIL believe that growing food indoors using conventional technology won’t be feasible.
Eco Factor: Artwork created from recycled materials.
Harumaki and Hirosher began as jewelry designers in 2003, but were soon to realize the shift in trends and began creating accessories and artwork using recycled materials. The artworks they create are mostly constructed from unused skateboard decks.
Eco Factor: Bus shelter made from recycled buses.
We’ve seen some hi-tech bus shelters being developed and commissioned in different parts of the world. These ecofriendly shelters mostly harness energy from the sun and power up a set of devices that provide access to the internet and information about bus schedules. Sculptor Christopher Fennel has a different mindset, for him green doesn’t always have to be flashy and expensive.
Eco Factor: Solar energy harvesting bag to charge portable electronics.
Konarka Technologies has announced that the company’s Power Plastic solar panels have been integrated into Neuber’s Energy Sun-Bags, which are the lightest solar energy bags available on the market.
Eco Factor: Sustainable clothing made from invisible bacteria.
While some believe that hemp and bamboo, being renewable, should be used more in fabrics, an Austrian designer named Sonja Baumel suggests a unique approach. The designer is working to make fabric from invisible bacteria present on the human body.
Eco Factor: Concept three-wheeled vehicle powered by electric batteries.
The TEL (Trasporto Elettrico Leggero/Light Electric Transport) is a light electric vehicle with high performance, which has been designed for public administrators and service companies. Designed by Sebastiano Ercoli, Andrea Grassi, Pietro Gottardi and Marta Loureiro, the TEL is a single-user, three-wheeled vehicle, having two power front wheels and one rear wheel.
Eco Factor: Engineers modify PHEVs to carry large batteries.
The electric vehicles of today require an overnight charge back at your home. Researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization think that the future of PHEVs might be different, where they won’t actually be a burden on the electricity grid, but will serve as a powerhouse by storing electricity during off-peak hours and using the same to power your house during peak hours.
There are few commuting options more efficient than a two-wheeler. Still, there are almost infinite options when it comes to commuter bicycles, bicycle scooters (newish), and the like. With options aplenty, here are our picks for the commuter in you or the commuter in your life (read: awesome gifts!). No matter what you wind up with, be sure to support your local shop with a tune up and accessory purchases.
If you’re considering the options, consider these:
Classic, stylish, and practical
For the ultimate in classic bicycle simplicity, check out Bowery Lane bicycles ($599). The company offers a local, handmade bicycle at a very reasonable price — it’s worth mentioning here that this baby arrives at your door practically pre-assembled (lazier and safer!) and includes sustainable cork grips. The Bowery Laners also boast a hand-built, Made in the USA steel frame and signature wood box for a picnic, pair of sixers, or rain-gear. You can lock this beauty most anywhere due to the bolt-on wheels and seat post (no quick release means less chance of theft). Hold the paint, M’am, with the Raw finish that shows off the big brass welds through the clearcoat. Most shops will check your handiwork free of charge, just ask them to check that your handlebars, headset, and pedals are tight. Low gearing and alloy wheels keep you comfy on most terrain and be sure to ding-a-ling at passersby with a friendly, albeit toothy, grin.
Bicycle Scooters are like Rock-n-Roll
Think one part blues and one part country — this offers the goods from two very distinct worlds. The A2B ($2,500) is remarkable. Old bicycle-scooter combos — and electric bicycles — were notoriously terrible, heavy, and prone to breakdown. Thankfully, that’s old news. The A2B has a super-lite lithium ion battery (think laptop) that plugs right into the wall and goes 20 miles per charge. You can extend that to 40 by purchasing a second battery (which are removable with a lock cylinder) or using your peds to pedal like a regular bicycle. Super-tough tires are both flat-resistant and long lasting. Full suspension rides like a D-R-E-A-M.
Folding bicycles make the Jetsons look like the Flintstones
Live in a city where you might want to hop on a bus, train, or (cough) taxi if the weather or circumstances dictate? No problemo. If you’re worried about the occasional theft (attention urbanites), this takes care of that too since you can probably fit ‘er folded up under your desk if you had to. The Dahon Eco 3 ($379) has just the right balance of gears, weight, simplicity, performance, comfort and gadgetry to fold up in 15 seconds or less.
With all these options, we recommend picking up a helmet, lock, rain gear, and a supplemental rear flasher (blinking red light that saves your life from cars, buses, and trucks that can’t see you).
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Eco Factor: Temporary abode designed to run on solar energy.
The overuse of land has long been overlooked in an effort to reduce the dependence on polluting fossil fuels for energy. Industrial designer Eric Zhang has proposed Honeycomb, a temporary abode that is designed to provide an alternative choice between a tent and a house for temporary need of living space.
Eco Factor: Ecofriendly yacht designed to be powered by a hybrid engine.
Magnum Marine has presented its latest and its largest yacht that is expected to be available by 2012. The yacht has been designed by Italian designer Alberto Mancini and will be equipped with a hybrid engine and other energy saving features for a sustainable cruise.
Eco Factor: Ecofriendly building designed to harness solar energy and minimize waste.
James Law Cybertecture International has proposed an “eco-dome” for Dubai’s Technopark, which will explore sustainable technologies and energy-saving systems to lower the building’s carbon footprint. Dubbed Technosphere, the ecofriendly dome will mimic the state of earth in current and future times.
Eco Factor: Mixed-use pavilion designed to be made from sustainable wood.
Michael Jantzen is not a new name in sustainable design. The master architect is now back with another green design he calls the 4-Squares Personal Pavilion. The 4-Squares Personal Pavilion is 24 feet long, 24 feet wide and 15 feet high. It is made of naturally preserved and stained wood, harvested from sustainable forests. The pavilion was designed as a functional art structure that has built-in seating for 12 people.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission electric car powered by solar energy.
Tokai University’s solar car, Tokai Challenger, has claimed victory in the 2009 Global Green Challenge. The Japanese team crossed the finish line at 3:39 p.m. SA Daylight Saving Time. The team’s performance was nearly flawless over the 3000km stretch from the Darwin start. Tokai University has broken the four event string of victories set by the Dutch Nuon team in the 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 events.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission Tesla Roadster sets world record for driving range.
Driving a 2008 Tesla Roadster, Simon Hackett along with Emilis Prelgauskas, has set a new world record by driving 501km on a single charge, something that no production EV has done before. The driver states that he has decades of experience in flying gliders and he used the same experience to better the fuel efficiency of the vehicle on the road.
Eco Factor: Portable device to provide drinkable water.
The Savior Bud designed by Kim Hyo Jin and Seol Ah Sun follows the natural recycling process to obtain water from tree leaves. The portable device can be attached to tree leaves, where it captures water and stores it in a container.
Eco Factor: Ecofriendly charger harnesses energy of motion for green energy.
Markets today are flooding with devices that let you harness renewable energy in the form of sun and wind to recharge your portable electronic gear. However, they’re only going to provide juice under a perfect set of climatic conditions. Easy Energy has launched a new green charger that doesn’t depend on the climate but lets you charge everything from cellphones to GPS devices using your own energy.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission car designed to run on an electric engine.
Ohio-based Myers Motors have showcased a fully redesigned NMG Sparrow electric vehicle that offers users a little more style in a zero-emission package. The initial vehicle was good as its performance was concerned, but its huge looks pulled things down as it thought more to be an eyesore than a green machine with great performance.
Eco Factor: Sustainable community designed to be self-sufficient in terms of power and water.
There is no dearth of architects who believe that the future of farming isn’t on land but is towards the sky, in vertical farms. Designers at Tjep have a different opinion, they’re working on farms that will not only be used to grow crops, but serve as self-reliant communities.
Eco Factor: Concept solar-powered radio and flashlight.
Designed by Renata Veiga, Track Talk is a concept solar powered device, to be used in emergency situations or camping activities, trekking, etc where communication, sense of direction and a source of light are crucial.
Eco Factor: Carbon neutral expertise center generates solar energy for power.
Van Marcke has announced the development of Big Blue, an information and sales center, devoted to energy-friendly solutions for heating and water. The renovated building was actually an industrial depot that was completely torn down and converted into a carbon-neutral information and sales center for consumers and professionals around sustainability.
Eco Factor: Concept homes made from recycled shipping containers.
Reusing shipping containers for new homes isn’t a new concept and there have been one-too-many designs that let you live a green life in a home with recycled bones. Group41 is another design firm that believes that shipping containers should be exploited whenever affordable housing is required.
Eco Factor: Solar energy generating system easily incorporates into existing infrastructure.
Adding solar panels into the existing electrical infrastructure of your home isn’t easy, especially if you’re trying to go green the conventional way. Designers at ZE Design have tried to complement your efforts to go green by designing a scalable and modular solar power system that can supplement the electrical power that you consume.
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