Getting close to the end of another week and it’s time for the latest Green Gazette where Planet Forward brings together a selection of interesting, inspiring or simply odd eco-friendly ideas. As I mentioned before I think all efforts are worthy in our search for more sustainable solutions so let’s see what’s on tap for today.

“The answer is blowing in the wind” was until recently simply a famous lyric by Bob Dylan and it seems 45+ years later he was absolutely right. Especially if the question is how can a large nation of over a billion people switch to environmentally friendly alternative energy sources? This article explains how an aggressive campaign could take China down that path by as soon as 2030! To your ears 2030 may seem a long way off but I tend to disagree, it doesn’t seem that long ago that it was 1989 and we were all sporting bigger hair and listening to cassettes in our Datsuns. The article explains how a feasibility study of geography and weather has revealed that China could create a surplus of energy for less cost than at present. Indeed if these projects are put into action China reduction in CO2 emissions would be amazing and inspiring. Please read more at the link provided.

The San Francisco bay area is one of the most beautiful combinations of urban population meeting nature that I’ve visited on this continent. Being surrounded by the cool waters of the Pacific coupled with the beautiful hills and mountains of the land makes it a special place indeed. Typically like so many special places the combination of nature and large quantities of ‘us’ had it’s downside and in this instance the topic of plastic bags again is worth focusing on due to the waste, pollution and damage to environment at stake. This article focuses on the clean up campaigns underway along the Pacific seaboard and the activism is rewarding to see. Better still would be a small step but a beneficial one - converting to reusable bags. If you’ve ever driven along the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway you’d feel enriched most of the time but (the trash in some of the bays) would also want to insist everyone moves away from plastic bags as soon as possible, which can be now! This video is excellent and I hope you enjoy it. For more information about ‘The Bay versus The Bag’ visit here.

Urban recyling will continue to grow through being cool and innovative. Nothing appeals like chic for a lot of city dwellers and I’m convinced that designers need to stay ahead of that curve. Creating sustainable ideas need not be dull, difficult or ugly when you realise the options for exciting, easy and stylish are just around the corner. For every practical solution out there it can be enhanced by creativity and here is a great example. Braun have developed a trashcan/dustbin called Envi (ha ha …get the pun? Green with Envi) which takes care of composting (internally) from biodegradable waste. The waste then becomes food for the plant that you grow from the unit, easier to see than explain so check it out.

Finally down to two wheels, I really enjoy cycling and if I lived somewhere more urban (New York or London again) and space was at a premium I’d naturally not own  a car but give some serious consideration to this nifty transit option. The entire bike is modular (or so they tell me) and even the wheels can be folded down to take up a space smaller than a loaf of bread. The entire bike could be stored on a shelf if you lived in a city where space was at a premium but can slide it out and build your bike in a short spell. Creativity like this makes we want to go apartment hunting in the Village!

Til next time….

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Tags: china wind farm, co2 emissions, compost, eco friendly energy, Michael Braungart, modular bicycle, Pacific Coast Highway, planet forward, plastic bags, San Francisco, sustainable products, sustainable solutions, the bay versus the bag, urban recycling, urban transport, wind energy, wind farms

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