Henning Larsen breaks ground on BEAM Platinum-targeted Shaw Auditorium in Hong Kong

Shortly after completing the “greenest school” in Hong Kong, Copenhagen-based Henning Larsen has broken ground on yet another sustainability-minded project—the Shaw Auditorium for The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Designed with modular seating, the multipurpose auditorium will be a flexible space that can accommodate a wide range of cultural events from concerts and musicals to conventions and exhibitions. The elliptical building will also feature climate-optimized design...

Carnival Corporation is polluting oceans while on probation

The popular cruise liner Carnival was charged in 2018 for excess ocean pollution yet the company is still breaking U.S. laws. New findings show that Carnival's fleet of cruise ships have dumped over half-million gallons of oil, sewage, and food waste into the ocean and are showing no signs of stopping. Carnival is currently on probation for violating ocean pollution standards and is being monitored for any further violations. Between the springs of 2017 and 2018, the company received as many...

Designer Sophie Rowley creates marbled furniture from denim scraps

The clothing industry sucks up copious quantities of water and leaves behind environmental waste like chemicals and dyes in the process. So it’s not surprising that product designers continue to seek out ways that waste from clothing production can be repurposed in useful and creative ways. One such designer, Sophie Rowley, has targeted denim and found a way to turn it into furniture. <!--more→ Not only is this furniture credited with taking denim cut-offs off the manufacturing room...

Kin Travel is offering unique vacation ideas that benefit destinations through conservation and sustainability

Traveling is becoming more and more convenient through the help of new technology, but sadly that doesn't always bode well for places affected by over tourism and other negative influences some travelers may bring along with them. Kin Travel began when founders Brian Jones and Mark Somen decided to give travelers a way to go on vacation while immersing themselves into the local culture and having a positive impact on their destinations. They strive to offer opportunities to rejuvenate communities...

Climate activists will turn up the heat at presidential debate

Young people have been making a lot of noise around the urgency of climate change, and they aren’t quieting down. Following the hotly debated release of the Green New Deal proposal and last month’s Youth Climate March’s in XXX cities, young people in the U.S. are plotting their next high-impact climate action. The Sunrise Movement, a youth movement leading the pressure on candidates to approve the Green New Deal is planning to stage a massive protest at the first debate for the Democratic primary...

Stunning 'beach shack' on remote Australian beach is 100% self-sufficient

Related: + Casey Brown Via Wallpaper Casey Brown, self-sufficient, Hart House

Google is celebrating Earth Day with a new addition to its interactive app

In an effort to create an entertaining, simple way to learn about eco-friendly living, Google paired up with the California Academy of Sciences and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to create Your Plan, Your Planet in 2018. Using interactive quizzes, tips and visual aids, Your Plan, Your Planet gives users a concise set of messages that will help anyone understand the simple ways they can do their part in helping save the planet’s precious resources. And with a trusted name like Google behind...

This futuristic, solar-powered travel trailer can be pulled by small cars

There’s no dispute that travel trailers are gaining popularity among those looking to get off the grid and use less natural resources, especially while enjoying activities such as camping and road tripping. At 760 lbs and just over 12 feet long, the Polydrop trailer created by architectural designer Kyung-Hyun Lew has a lightweight frame and sleeps two people comfortably. For the minimalist traveler, it has pretty much all the essentials. Inside the wooden cabin bolted to the aluminum frame,...

New York City passes landmark bill to cut carbon emissions of big buildings by 80%

New York City just passed a landmark bill to cut carbon emissions. City council members overwhelming voted in favor of the historic law, called the The Climate Mobilization Act, which will reduce emissions by 80 percent over the next thirty years. The most significant portion of the bill will require buildings over 25,000 square feet to reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent over the next decade. By 2050, these buildings will have to cut emissions another 40 percent, greatly reducing overall...

We tested the GoSun Go solar oven heres what we thought

The idea of cooking a delicious meal just by using the power of the sun is enticing, and GoSun Go is making it happen with its line of solar ovens. We’ve talked about the design before and checked them out at CES, but it wasn’t until recently that we were able to get our hands on one of these bad boys to test them out. From veggie burgers and baked sweet potato to mixed-berry muffins, coffee and oatmeal, we tried cooking a wide variety of foods in this portable, solar-powered oven. Here’s what...

This beekeepers workshop uses sustainable design to minimize its footprint

In a bid to save northern Brazil’s rainforests from deforestation and land exploitation, São Paulo-based architecture firm Estudio Flume has recently completed Casa Do Mel, a beekeepers workshop that serves as a self-sustainable business alternative to logging operations. Located in the Canaã dos Carajás in the Pará Estate of Brazil, the workshop serves a co-operative of beekeepers formed by 53 rural producers. To reduce site impact, the building follows passive solar principles and incorporates...

People for Bikes is making cycling safer with Ride Spot

People for Bikes is doing their part to keep cycling safe. The non-profit organization now has two networking projects to help keep cyclists safe across the country: a city ratings database and a guide on the best city routes called Ride Spot. With safety being a top priority, People for Bikes’ database includes information about regulations throughout the United States. The city ratings include data on legislation that increases safety in certain locations. There is also valuable information...

8 sustainability podcasts to listen to this Earth Day

Give your daily commute a boost by subscribing to a sustainability podcast. Not only do these podcasts make your drive pass a little faster, but they will also keep you informed on the latest trends in sustainability – and just in time for Earth Day. Here is a quick list of the best sustainability podcasts for your morning drive. Sustainable Jungle This podcast tackles current and future problems in the environmental world. The hosts of the podcast, Lyall and Joy, tour the planet to discuss...

Jason Momoa shaves beard to shine a spotlight on plastic pollution

When you have 11 million Instagram followers,  your simplest personal hygiene move can elicit thousands of comments. And when you’re ready for a major hygiene transformation, such as shaving off a beard you’ve been growing since 2012, you can pair the shearing with a save-the-world message. So we get a viral video of Jason Momoa, beloved Game of Thrones star, shaving off his beastly beard while talking about plastic pollution. The 39 year-old actor’s call for action is part of a growing wave...

These sweet teardrop trailers for adventurers run on solar power

Related: + Via

Vegan organization receives post-hurricane windfall

The Million Dollar Vegan campaign gave $100,000 to vegan humanitarian aid organization, Chilis on Wheels, to help survivors of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. As reported here in February, 12 year-old activist Genesis Butler made an intriguing proposition to Pope Francis: Go vegan for Lent, and Butler and her Million Dollar Vegan campaign would donate a million dollars to the charity of Francis’ choice. Unfortunately, the pope did not accept the offer. And with Easter upon us, funds raised in...

RBURN upcycles North Face tents into one-of-a-kind bags

The North Face has teamed up with British designer Christopher Raeburn of RÆBURN to launch a new line of accessories handcrafted from recycled tents. Introduced late last month, the unique collection consists of three distinct items—a tote bag, drawstring bag, and Rae Bag—that all feature RÆBURN’s iconic “REMADE, REDUCED, RECYCLED, RÆBURN” tagline. The partnership marks the iconic outdoors brand’s first sustainable collaboration and is part of both brands’ commitment to reducing...