Good Day, we’ve decided to add a new feature to the Planet Forward blog that we think will entertain but also further awareness for all matters green. Every few days we’ll scan the web to then share some of the most interesting, innovative and simply curious eco-friendly ideas. I feel that any green idea is a good idea to at least explore and if 15% of the creative ideas I read about progress to local, regional or mass acceptance then we are a few steps nearer to our goal of a healthier and more sustainable planet. So without further delay here’s what I’ve enjoyed the last few days.

Ideas as grand as this one truly astound me, an entire city design that revolves around eco decisions that bring immediate benefit. Concepts and planning are no longer just ideas on an architect’s mechanical pad, these cities are being built and progressing through to later stages . The example in this story has already passed phase one and upon completion will host 75,000 residents and up to 300,000 commuters. An entire community with open space and parks, green roofs, solar passive design, mass transit and over 120 buildings built to LEED standards. The future is now and I look forward to the US and Canada joining this exciting list of projected master planned communities.

This wasn’t the first story I read about ‘green funerals’ but needless to say it’s a natural progression that is sure to be on the increase. If you live a lifestyle that’s committed to sustainable practices it’s another way that your last choice can positively impact our environment. Funeral planning is one of those inevitable matters that should be planned for. With that in mind it’s an option that I’m sure will be of interest to many. All the details are via the link, but simply put a fully bio-degradable casket is offered along with other specifics you’ll just need to visit to read about. Interestingly the company (in a Chicago suburb) explains that the demand for these services has been in place for many years but only recently has the term ‘green burial’ been used.

Some of the oldest ideas are new again, I love that. As a child we lived about 25 minutes from Cambridge in England and throughout the college town are a ‘fleet’ of over 500 bicycles that anyone (primarily students) can use so long as they were returned to specific locations outside of the main campus buildings. I marveled at the concept as a child (it began back in the 1920′s) and continues to this day. This old idea now gets a new and improved spin (pun intentional) with this development by Chiyu Chen. The purpose built bikes are ‘rented’ with a credit/debit card and as you ride power is created and stored in the bicycle. When you return the bike you plug it back in and the energy is transferred to the city bus system that is electric. It sounds remarkable but it’s truly fantastic. The best piece, by using the bikes you earn credit that can then be used on the public transit system!

When I saw these images of eco-homes I was first reminded of The Lord of The Rings and could easily envisage Hobbits running around in these very different looking homes. From subterranean homes in Wales to glass and stone creations in the Arizona desert it’s fascinating to see  innovation in action. Thirty years ago ‘kit’ cars were in vogue, perhaps in the next decade a green kit home might become very feasible. The Welsh design is detailed in full so you can get digging this weekend!

Hope you enjoyed volume one – more to follow soon.

Tags: bio degradable, bio degredable, eco bicycles, eco home kits, eco homes, eco ideas, eco urban planning, energy generating bicycles, green burials, green funerals, Hobbits, LEED standards, Lord of The Rings, planet forward, public transport, solar design, sustainable solutions