Everyday Activism

Plastic-Eating Fungi Found in the Amazon May Solve World’s Waste Problem

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:00:06 -0700

A group of students and professors from Yale University have found a fungi in the Amazon rainforest that can degrade and utilize the common plastic polyurethane (PUR). As part of the university’s Rainforest Expedition and Laboratory educational program, designed to engage undergraduate students in discovery-based research, the group searched for plants and cultured the micro-organisms within their tissue.

Several active organisms were identified, including two distinct isolates of Pestalotiopsis microspora with the ability to efficiently degrade and utilize PUR as the sole carbon source when grown anaerobically, a unique observation among reported PUR biodegradation activities.

Polyurethane is a big part of our mounting waste problem and this is a new possible solution for managing it. The fungi can survive on polyurethane alone and is uniquely able to do so in an oxygen-free environment. The Yale University team has published its findings in the article ‘Biodegradation of Polyester Polyurethane by Endophytic Fungi’ for the Applied and Environmental Microbiology journal.

This article originally published at PSFK here.

Zambikes Bamboo Bikes Turn Heads In The U.S., Fight Poverty In Africa

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:00:05 -0800

An African bike company builds bikes for the poor, funded by selling you a super-light sweet bamboo ride.

In Zambia, bicycles grow on trees, or rather bamboo, the primary building material for many Zambikes. Groves of it grow outside the company’s factory, which is run by two Zambians and two Americans on a quest to build a local bike for Africans, and employ the “uneducated and underprivileged” to make them for the rest of the world.

So far, Zambike has cranked out at least 8,000 metal bicycles and 900 bicycle ambulances and cargo carts in Southern Africa; they’ve sold 200 bamboo bicycle frames worldwide. The company’s goal, besides benefiting communities around it, is to sell affordable, effective transportation throughout Zambia, a country where theaverage life expectancy is 47 years old, and infant mortality approaches one in 10 births. The for-profit firm was founded in a a partnership with U.S. nonprofit Akerfa, and has employed more than 100 people, says Zambikes cofounder Vaughn Spethmann.

“Our products are saving and changing lives,” said Spethmann during an interview withSOCAP Europe. ”We are creating opportunity and employment. “Our goal of having Zambikes be run by Zambian nationals will ensure that Zambikes will be a catalyst for change for decades to come.”

The design is relatively straightforward, though labor intensive. Three-year-old bamboo is cut, preserved, and cured for several months before being cut to size. The frame is then bound with wood glue and plant fiber cords soaked in epoxy, and affixed to the metal components. The whole process takes as long as a week, but produces a 95% bamboo bike that is “one of the classiest, comfortable rides in the bike industry” with almost “magical” vibration absorption, says the company. Models have fetched about $900 abroad, and a messenger bike version is now available for export.

But you may soon have pick of bamboo bikes. While Zambike has perhaps the strongest environmental and social credentials, a growing number of shops and designers are crafting bicycles out of the material and some are even expanding into solid wood.Renovo, inspired by wooden WWII fighter planes, handcraft their frames from hardwood simply because it’s a superior material, says the company, with “engineering properties suit the requirements of most bicycle applications better than any other material.” Although not a good candidate for large-scale manufacturing, “where production is limited, and the properties of wood are matched to the product, it is difficult to surpass.”

[Image: KKTourAfrica]

Reach Michael J. Coren via Twitter or email.

Can 1 miracle plant solve the world's 3 greatest problems?

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:46:00 -0800

If someone were to tell you that they had a technology — a weed actually — that could sequester huge amounts of carbon permanently while lifting villagers out of poverty by providing both protein-rich food and super-insulated building materials, you might start to wonder if they were, well, smoking a different weed.

But it appears that one retired building contractor, Bill Loftus, has actually come upon a brilliant application of the fast-growing, carbon-sucking plant known as Kenaf. Kenaf is in the Hibiscus family and is thus related to both cotton and okra. Originally from Africa, this 4,000-year-old crop was used for its fiber. It has the astonishing ability to grow up to 14 feet in one growing season, yielding 6-10 tons of fiber per acre and making it a great source of pulp for paper.

But researchers have also discovered (PDF) a corresponding ability of Kenaf to inhale huge quantities of our most abundant global warming gas — CO2. We all now know we need to dramatically reduce our emissions, but even if we were to cut them by 50 percent in the next 10 years (an almost unachievable goal), we still have decades worth of CO2 that has yet to impact the climate. In other words, we need a technology that can actively pull CO2 out of the air and store it … permanently, now.

It turns out that Kenaf can absorb 3-8 times more CO2 than a tree. One acre of Kenaf can pull about 10 tons of CO2 out of the air per growing season, and in some parts of the world it can be cut back and regrown for a second season. With proper management, a single acre planted in Kenaf could absorb 20 tons of CO2.

But its not enough to simply absorb CO2. In order to create verifiable carbon credits, the CO2 must be sequestered permanently. This is where Bill Loftus comes in. Having worked for decades in the green building industry, he realized the abundant fiber of the Kenaf plant would be perfect as a filler to produce light-weight, super-insulating, fireproof concrete blocks that permanently sequester the carbon.

He patented the block, which weighs under 9 lbs, and is currently using it in two pilot projects in Haiti and South Africa, areas that have been hard hit by natural disasters and famine. The plant leaves are rich in protein (34 percent) and much-loved by chickens. So early in the season, it makes perfect feed in areas where feed is often not even available. The chickens in turn fertilize the soil and provide food for the villagers.

I still have a few questions — in particular about soil depletion and the invasiveness of the species — but I will be interviewing the CEO of Quantum-ionics, the distributor of the block, to get more answers. In the meantime you can check out Bill Loftus’ websiteand join his crusade to stop global warming, one kenaf plant at a time.

99% v 1%: the data behind the Occupy movement - animation It...

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:17:00 -0800

99% v 1%: the data behind the Occupy movement - animation

It has been the rallying cry of the Occupy movement for the past two months - but is the US really split 99% v 1%? As poverty and inequality reach record levels, how much richer have the rich got? This animation explains what the key data says about the state of America today.

MAKE IT BETTER This is a great example of how good design...

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:05:05 -0700

MAKE IT BETTER

This is a great example of how good design thinking can make things better for users and the planet. With a simple rethinking of the ink container, this pen can hold more ink for longer use. Longer use of a single pen means not using other pens, and saving plastic. Smart design.

How Many Slaves Are Working For You?

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 06:29:00 -0700

A new website and mobile app looks at your purchases and determines the amount of forced labor that’s gone into everything you own. The number may surprise you.

http://www.slaveryfootprint.org/

It’s not easy to be a socially responsible consumer. Even if you buy mostly local products and diligently keep track of corporate environmental footprints, you may still be leaving a trail of slaves in your wake. After all, who do you think is digging up the minerals in your smartphone or picking the cotton for your T-shirts? Slavery Footprint, a new website and mobile app that launched today (the 149th anniversary of the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation) can tell you approximately how many slaves have pitched in to make the goods you enjoy on a daily basis.

The site, created in a collaboration between anti-slavery nonprofit Call + Response and the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, uses a complex algorithm to calculate how many slaves work for you based on a number of questions, including how much jewelry you own, whether you’re a gadget geek, what’s in your medicine cabinet, and even whether you’ve paid for sex (you’ll just have to check out the site to get the details on that one).

After going through the process, I discovered that there are 101 slaves toiling away for me. That is actually a fairly low number, according to Justin Dillon of Call + Response. “The issue seems far away but the truth is you can’t leave your home in the morning without touching something that was made with slavery,” he says. In this case, a slave—or forced laborer—is defined as “anyone who is forced to work without pay, being economically exploited, and is unable to walk away.”

Call + Response obviously can’t take into account the brand name of every product in your home, but the Slavery Footprint algorithm is still pretty detailed—it uses information from the Department of Labor, Department of State, and Transparency International, among other organizations.

But Dillon says the point isn’t to make people ashamed of our consumer culture. “I didn’t want to create another bummer calculator that only spits out bad news,” he says. “I wanted to see how we can help individuals use their lifestyles to end this.”

So in addition to the Slavery Footprint site, Call + Response is also offering an app that lets people check in to storefronts (a la Foursquare) to let them know that they want slavery-free products. The app also allows people to directly send letters to over 1,000 brands to demand an end to slavery in their products—and then share the companies’ responses to create a crowdsourced database. By taking these actions, users receive Free World Points, which Dillon likens to carbon offsets.

The Free World Points don’t exactly take away from the seriousness of the slavery problem, but they do serve as proof that users are at least trying to make a difference. “Success for us means that we’ve shifted the conversation in the marketplace a little more that makes it easier for corporations to engage in [the slavery issue] in a substantive manner,” says Dillon.

Matilija Dam is scheduled to come down some time in the near...

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:51:17 -0700

Matilija Dam is scheduled to come down some time in the near future. An activist ninja decided to help create a plan for the dams demise.

Don't Buy New Patagonia Products Unless You Really Need It

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:39:00 -0700

Tonight, Patagonia and eBay announced a new partnership, the Common Threads Initiative. Together, they asked owners of fleece and Gore-Tex everywhere to pledge to reduce consumption, reuse old gear, recycle, repair what’s broken, and reimagine a world where people don’t stress the earth with purchases.

Yes, you read correctly. Patagonia is asking us not to buy their stuff, or any stuff, unless we really need it. And then they’re asking us to buy used stuff when we can. And they’re asking us to sell those still warm puffys and barely frayed packs gathering dust in the back of our closets on eBay, to a troller who will buy an old jacket instead of buying a new one.

To show they really mean it, Patagonia and eBay have partnered on a Patagonia-specific resale site powered by eBay that you can access from Patagonia’s website. But there is one catch—you have to pledge to the five “Rs” to use it.

Patagonia wants 50,000 pledgers this year. Sign today, and whether or not you start bidding, you’ll be one of the first. But don’t just sign so you can get first dibs on nearly new gear which for the next few days is probably mostly from the Patagonia sample racks. Think about what you’re agreeing to, and like Patagonia, walk your talk.

theworldofsleepers: Consumerism “there’s none but ourselves to...

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:36:00 -0700

theworldofsleepers:

Consumerism

“there’s none but ourselves to make this thing last, none but ourselves.

everybody take a long hard look at you.”

8 Things You Can Compost Today

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:13:21 -0700

8 Things You Can Compost Today:

Composting is easier than you think, and you’d be surprised what you can toss into the bin. If you’re still unfamiliar with the concept, check out our favorite how-to guide on starting a compost in the summer. Once you’re up and running, start tossing! Here are eight common items from your household that you can throw in your compost.

"To take risks and to make the world better by being amazing. … You get to make a choice. You can..."

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:40:45 -0700

““To take risks and to make the world better by being amazing. … You get to make a choice. You can remake that choice every day, in fact. It’s never too late to choose optimism, to choose action, to choose excellence. The best thing is that it only takes a moment — just one second — to decide.””

- Seth Godin, Time to take action

Bring Safe Water to 8,000 People

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:48:00 -0700

Bring Safe Water to 8,000 People:

This message is in partnership with Levi’s®

When water is easily accessible, it’s hard to remember just how crucial it is for human life. But for nearly one billion people today, finding safe water is a daily struggle. An estimated one in eight people don’t have access to clean water and nearly 2.5 billion people don’t have access to improved sanitation.

Lacking access to clean water isn’t just inconvenient, it has a devastating impact on communities throughout the developing world. Each year, 3.5 million people die from water-related diseases. Nearly 84 percent of them are children.

Today, groups like Water.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to water and sanitation accessibility, have simple, cost-effective tools to bring safe water and sanitation to people who desperately need them. Levi’s and Water.org are teaming up and, with your help, hope to bring a lifetime of clean water to 8,000 people.

Help them reach this goal by clicking here and pledging your support for water accessibility for all. Spread the word and tell your friends—reaching 100,000 Facebook pledges will bring safe water to 8,000 people, changing their lives for good.

Click here to learn more and pledge now on Facebook

Photo

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:57:00 -0700

Save 10 Gallons of Water with a Brick in the Toilet

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:39:00 -0700

Save 10 Gallons of Water with a Brick in the Toilet :

Save 10 Gallons of Water with a Brick in the Toilet

The old folk wisdom that says place a brick in your toilet’s water tank is partially correct: It’s an effortless way to save water, but a brick isn’t the best choice of object. Use a plastic bottle filled with water instead.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to turn hippie and “let it mellow if it’s yellow” in order to save clean water — which is an increasingly scarce resource. Most toilets will flush perfectly well with a little less H₂O. The average model uses three to seven gallons per flush. A bottle in the tank will displace enough water to save half a gallon to a gallon each use, or up to about 10 gallons a day in a typical home.

All you have to do is drop a little sand or some pebbles into a bottle, fill it with water, and put it in the tank, making sure not to disturb the toilet’s working parts. Many toilets flush well with a submerged 2-liter soda bottle, but experiment to find out what size bottles fit best and produce the best flush.

What’s wrong with a brick? They have been known to disintegrate in toilet water over time, leading to damaged plumbing. If you are a mason or otherwise determined to use a brick, wrap it in a sturdy plastic bag first.

You can also look for kits at local home improvement stores to convert American-style flushers to European-style dual-flushers, offering a half-flush option for liquids ($20 at homedepot.com). When it comes time for a new toilet, look for one with a WaterSense label. And, of course, be sure to fix leaks, which can cost $20 or more in wasted water.

A Food Label That Actually Teaches You About Food The design...

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:22:00 -0700

A Food Label That Actually Teaches You About Food

The design concept above, by San Francisco-based Renee Walker, recently won Rethink the Food Label, a competition that asked designers to make the health info on packaged goods easier to understand. Mounted by the UC Berkeley j-school’s News21 program and Good magazine — with powerhouse jurors, including “liberal foodie intellectual” Michael Pollan and anti-sugar crusader Robert Lustig — the contest isn’t part of any official push to revamp packaging but could serve up a heaping of inspiration to the FDA, which is in the process of revising the national nutrition label.

Read the whole article on Fast Company Daily.

In honor of those who grow their own food. You make the world a...

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 07:29:01 -0700

In honor of those who grow their own food. You make the world a better place.

10 Ways to Reuse Your Morning Coffee Grounds

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:51:00 -0700

10 Ways to Reuse Your Morning Coffee Grounds:

Don’t throw them out just yet!

If you’re like me, you like to have a cup a joe every once and awhile, or everyday. So what do you do with those coffee grounds after you get your caffeine fix? Throw them in the trash? Compost? Either way, there are some pretty neat things you can do to reuse coffee grounds. Here are just a few…

1. Fertilize plants. Old coffee grounds are nutrient-rich for plants that thrive in an acidic soil.

2. Soften and add shine to hair. When washing your hair, rub coffee grounds through wet hair and rinse. For brown hair, coffee grounds add highlights.

3. Use coffee grounds as an exfoliant for skin. Rub into skin and then rinse. (I love when my face smells like coffee)

4. Deodorize a freezer. Place a bowl with used coffee grounds in the freezer to remove unwanted odors.

5. Put some dried coffee grounds in your favorite pair of stinky shoes and watch the odor drift away. (ok, maybe you won’t be able to see it)

6. Use your morning brew to fight cellulite. Mix the grounds with vitamin E oil and massage onto the area where cellulite exists. Repeat 2 or 3 times and rinse in the shower.

7. Rub coffee grounds on your pet before bathing to repel any fleas. (Love this one)

8. Remove furniture scratches with wet coffee grounds.

9. Use coffee grounds to repel ants. Cinnamon is also good for this.

10. Keep cats from leaving a little surprise in your garden by spreading used coffee grounds and orange peels throughout your beds or vegetable garden.

Drink up!

charity: water September is coming and you can throw a Charity...

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 07:15:00 -0700

charity: water

September is coming and you can throw a Charity Water Party and raise money to build a well!

There are a billion people living without clean water. charity: water uses 100% of the money raised to build water projects. So far they’ve helped over a million people get clean water. Watch the Trailer.

The 3 Big Reasons to Always Use Local Food

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:08:00 -0700

The 3 Big Reasons to Always Use Local Food:

Here are the big three:

1) Buying local foods cuts the distance that the food takes to get to your plate. This means that it omits a lot of the harmful emissions that are associated with transporting goods (via truck, plane, boat, etc.) Additionally, it reduces the invisible waste materials that are used to package and ship.

2) It supports your local economy by giving business to small farmers. Faced by aggressive competition from large food distributors, small local farms often don’t do as well. Supporting their products promotes the national economy as well as their business. Plus it adds a personal touch to your plate!

3) Local food is better in both quality and taste. Getting food from a local distributor gives you better odds of receiving fresh seasonal products, rather than anything genetically modified or injured in transport. Plus, local food is less likely to contain harmful preservatives or have been frozen.

Creative Culture Building

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:05:47 -0700

Creative Culture Building:

5 Rules for a Creative Culture
By Ben Chestnut

1. Avoid rules. Avoid order. Don’t just embrace chaos, but create a little bit of it. Constant change, from the top-down, keeps people nimble and flexible (and shows that you want constant change).

2. Give yourself and your team permission to be creative. Permission to try something new, permission to fail, permission to embarrass yourself, permission to have crazy ideas.

3. Hire weird people. Not just the tattoo’d and pierced-in-strange-places kind, but people from outside your industry who would approach problems in different ways than you and your normal competitors.

4. Meetings are a necessary evil, but you can avoid the conference room and meet people in the halls, the water cooler, or their desks. Make meetings less about delegation and task management and more about cross-pollination of ideas (especially the weird ideas). This is a lot harder than centralized, top-down meetings. But this is your job — deal with it.

5. Structure your company to be flexible. Creativity is often spontaneous, so the whole company needs to be able to pivot quickly and execute on them (see #1).

Everyday Activism

Plastic-Eating Fungi Found in the Amazon May Solve World’s Waste Problem

Zambikes Bamboo Bikes Turn Heads In The U.S., Fight Poverty In Africa

Can 1 miracle plant solve the world's 3 greatest problems?

99% v 1%: the data behind the Occupy movement - animation It...

99% v 1%: the data behind the Occupy movement - animation

MAKE IT BETTER This is a great example of how good design...

MAKE IT BETTER

How Many Slaves Are Working For You?

Matilija Dam is scheduled to come down some time in the near...

Don't Buy New Patagonia Products Unless You Really Need It

theworldofsleepers: Consumerism “there’s none but ourselves to...

8 Things You Can Compost Today

"To take risks and to make the world better by being amazing. … You get to make a choice. You can..."

Bring Safe Water to 8,000 People

Photo

Save 10 Gallons of Water with a Brick in the Toilet

Save 10 Gallons of Water with a Brick in the Toilet

A Food Label That Actually Teaches You About Food The design...

A Food Label That Actually Teaches You About Food

In honor of those who grow their own food. You make the world a...

10 Ways to Reuse Your Morning Coffee Grounds

charity: water September is coming and you can throw a Charity...

The 3 Big Reasons to Always Use Local Food

Creative Culture Building

5 Rules for a Creative Culture By Ben Chestnut

5 Rules for a Creative Culture
By Ben Chestnut