Dwindling Fish Stocks Lead Pelicans to Eat Gannet Chicks

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:25:00 GMT

Image via BBC Earth News Gannets on the island of Malgas in South Africa are in a bit of a pinch. Usually they nest with one parent out fishing, while the other parent guards the chick. However, fewer fish to catch means both parents have to go hunting and leave the chick unguarded. This leaves an opportunity open for pelicans who have adopted a bizarre survival strategy. Rather than fly out to fish for themselves, they're gobbling up the unattended gannet chicks. And BBC film makers have caught the behavior on tape. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Humming Bird With an Incredible Tail Does a Mating Dance (Video)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:50:00 GMT

It's Friday, and therefore time to sit back and enjoy some sigh-worthy beauty compliments of Mother Nature. This is the spatuletail hummingbird - one of the rarest birds, with an absolutely amazing tail...and mating dance. Check out how this little guy manages to fly in order to attract a female. It's stunning. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Genomic Zoo Aims to Sequence DNA of 10,000 Vertebrate Species

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:32:00 GMT

Photo via ynse Talk about a high tech zoo! A new project called the Genome 10K Project wants to collect and sequence the DNA of 10,000 vertebrate species in an effort to shine a light on recent, rapid adaptive changes among the species. By understanding the adaptive and evolutionary changes, scientists believe they'll have a better insight on how species are responding to climate change, higher levels of pollution, and new diseases. The sequencing will not only reveal current changes, but also how the animals have adapted in the past. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Smart Water Technologies To Be a $16.3B Industry by 2020

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Photo via Pink Sherbet Photography Electricity gets all the attention when it comes to the smart grid, but not to be ignored is also what a smart grid can do for water consumption. Americans consume twice the world average in water, massive amounts are wasted in households, manufacturing, agriculture, and landscaping - massive amounts that could be conserved through proper monitoring and accounting. Luckily, water footprints are getting increased attention, and a water grid is being zeroed in on by businesses such as IBM who is working on boosting technology behind everything from high tech water pollution sensing to water footprint accounting. . In fact, the water grid could be the next big business concept, set to be a $16.3 billion dollar industry in the next 10 years. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Amphibious Architecture Gets People to Interact with River System, Includes Texting Fish

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Photos via Amphibious Architecture The East and the Bronx Rivers in New York are home to a new installation project that offers a "looking glass" into the marine ecosystems of the rivers. The Amphibious Architecture project is a way of connecting humans with the watery world upon which we depend, through an amazing lighting display that reflects the incoming information of attached sensors. As the sensors pick up data on water quality, the presence of fish, and human interest in the water system, the lights tell the story of the interactions and feedback loops are created. An interesting, techy way for fish and people to interact, right? But it doesn't stop there - also thrown into the mix is the ability of humans to text message fish. Yes, text message...and get a response. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Digital TV Switch Causes 70% Rise in e-Waste

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:27:00 GMT

Photo via Esquire We worried about the rise in dumped TVs when the switch to digital in the US occurred back in June. The UK is also switching to digital and figures show a frightening rise in dumped TVs, rising by 70% in the past year, with over half of them being upgradable. But they were dumped instead. As more areas switch to digital over the next two years, including London, just how much more of an impact can we expect, and can citizens be convinced that they don't need to dump their TVs at all?... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Study Shows Coral Spawning Depends on Wind; Makes Local Conservation Imperative

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Photo via Paul and Jill With the future of corals looking grim - grim enough for a proposal to start freezing them for future reintroduction - it's more important than ever to understand what corals need for healthy reproduction. The synchronization behind coral spawning has always been a bit of a mystery. Lunar and solar timing play a factor, but so does another weather pattern. A new study published in London in Proceedings of the Royal Society B explains why corals spawn at varying times depending on their geographical location. They wait for perfect times when regional wind fields are light, allowing some corals to spawn for several months at a time in some locations, or just a handful of nights in other areas. This discovery places increased emphasis on the importance of localized marine conservation efforts for corals. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Gorgeous Lighting Idea Puts Spotlight on Deforestation

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Images via Yanko Design Designer Kitae Pak has come up with a great home accessory concept - a light that looks like a tree when turned on, and a root system when turned off. It's gorgeous, and a beautiful eco-centric idea. And while it looks attractive, it doesn't do much to really hit the bigger picture concept that inspired it. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Awesome Science Kit Teaches Kids About Renewable Energy...But Requires AA Batteries?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Image via Hammacher Schlemer If I were nine years old again, I'd soooo ask for this for Christmas. It's a learning toy centered on renewable energy. The mad scientist-looking device teaches kids about different types of renewable energy sources, how effective each type of energy source is, energy storage, and even teaches them how to reduce energy consumption at home. And yet, there's a very ironic twist to how part of the device itself is powered. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Futuristic Manhole Cover Harvests Rainwater Power and Tells You Where to Catch a Bus

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:47:00 GMT

Image via Yanko Design City streets could be much more interesting and informative with these manhole covers - a concept dreamed up by Cheolyeon Jo & Youngsun Lee. The covers, called "eco signs," would harvest power from rainfall in order to tell you, just by tapping your foot on its right or left side, information such as where to find the closest subway station or bus stop. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Hand-Held Printer Only Needs You to Wave It Over The Paper (Video)

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:40:00 GMT

Printers can be big, clunky machines that spit out more pages than you intended to print. So what if you had a tiny hand-held printer that only put down ink where you waved your hand? For a society going increasingly paperless, a little printer that can handle the rare print job like concert tickets or boarding passes, or a quick document in a notebook sounds ideal. The PrintBrush claims to be just such a solution. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

US Government Officials Ask Electronics Industry to Take Back NYC Law Suit, and Take Back Gadgets

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:50:00 GMT

Photo via Jaymi Heimbuch For years, New York City has been working to toughen up electronics recycling laws, and for years the electronics industry has been less than thrilled. The city has gone forward with a plan that requires electronics manufacturers to offer free door-to-door pick-up service of used devices. However, electronics companies say this too expensive, too labor intensive, and too annoying - so they sued. Now, government officials from across the nation are asking the electronics industry to drop the suit, saying that it's not about a troublesome e-cycling regulation, it's about trying to take power away from the states to regulate e-waste.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Is Laser Etching a Safer Alternative to Stickers for Labeling Produce?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:05:00 GMT

Photo courtesy of Sunkist I've always been curious about how green it is to pick up a piece of organic fruit that has two or three different stickers pasted onto it. Each piece of fruit in the pile sporting several stickers has got to add up in terms of material waste and a little boost in the carbon footprint. So, would laser etching be a greener, safer alternative? While it's been approved in a variety of countries, it has yet to make it into the US. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Consumer Electronics Show Dedicating More Space for Green Gadgets This Year

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:25:00 GMT

Considering the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is among the biggest events in electronics worldwide, it never seems too early to start talking about it. Especially when they issue a press release stating that they're expanding the Sustainable Planet green gadget section by over 40% from last year. Not that it'd be tough to do. Last year the Sustainable Planet section was practically impossible to find, and LG's booth right next door was practically the same size. So...what are the improvements CEA intends to make this year to ensure greener gadgets get the attention they deserve? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Pollution-Patrolling Robotic Fish Have "Muscle" Movement Like Real Fish

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:05:00 GMT

Credit: G.L. Kohuth, Michigan State University We've heard a lot about robotic fish over the last year, including that they'll patrol for pollution, and gather information to monitor climate change in the oceans. Michigan State University researchers are bringing another version of a robotic fish to the scene, having just received funding to move the project forward. However, these fish have some very life-like features. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Oh, Please No - TwitterPeek Is an e-Waste Mess of a One Trick Pony

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:30:00 GMT

Image via Ubergizmo This is a great one for our UnTreehugger category. It's a device that does just one thing, just one thing that any smart phone or computer can do for you, just one thing that no one really needs a device to do. It checks your Twitter account. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Bracelet Made from Modeling Weather Patterns in 3D

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Image via Designboom Designer Mitchell Whitelaw has created a very cool bracelet based on the pattern of 365 days of weather in his home town. The varying temperatures form the curves of a 3D wearable piece of art. Can you guess what the holes are?... Read the full story on TreeHugger

British Earthworms May Get Nudged Out by European Invaders Thanks to Climate Change

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Photo via schizoform Earthworms in Britain are seeing their turf taken over by a European species that is better suited for warmer, drier climates...the type of climate we're seeing more of thanks to global warming. At Whitley Wood in the New Forest, the change in the ecosystem has made it too much of a battle for native earthworm species to keep European invaders at bay. As non-native earthworms continue to make their way to Britain, hitching rides with imported plants, the balance of species will continue to shift. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

India Struggling with Nearly Half a Million Tons of e-Waste...and Growing

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:55:00 GMT

Photo via Nickjohnson India is drowning under 420,000 tons of e-waste a year. And while it isn't clear which percentage is generated within India and which percentage is imported, what is clear is that the number is growing about 10-15% each year. If the number doesn't mean much on its own, put it next to this: Pollution control officials says there are only six regular recycling units in India, with an annual capacity of 27,000 tonnes. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Just What We Needed Dept: Musiphones for Winter

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:14:00 GMT

Image via Akihabara News Cold weather is rolling in and we're all starting to think about how to keep warm while walking down the street - but without giving up the ability to listen to music, right? MusiPhones offers a solution - headphones built into ear muffs. We have another solution... ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

A Solar Powered Blanket Creates Cell Phone-Powered Health Care for Africans

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:51:00 GMT

Image via Portable Light iTEACH Blanket Project Page Sounds like a strange mix, but a blanket that sports solar power could help improve health care in Africa by allowing those people without electricity to charge cell phones, which are used to send and receive text messages with health information for people with HIV and Tuberculosis. It's called the Portable Light iTEACH Blanket, and it wants to save lives. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

U.S. Senate Considering Bill to Slow the Impacts of e-Waste

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:54:00 GMT

Photo via Rojer Could cradle-to-cradle design become law? The beginnings of it seem to be hatching with a new bill going through the Senate. The bill, titled S.1397, the "Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act," would push for dealing with e-waste through not only better disposal methods, but also having designers consider end-of-life product design in the first place. While this is already a growing part of electronics design - especially if a manufacturer wants their product to qualify for labels such as EPEAT, it isn't a very broadly set goal. This bill could help us slow the impacts of e-waste, and move towards cradle-to-cradle design. However, it is a bill without much teeth. Well...without any teeth.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

In Just 4 Short Years, Kiva Hits $100 Million In Microloans

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:31:00 GMT

Back in 2005, Warren wrote about Kiva, and making history on a one-to-one basis. Kiva was a brand new idea, an easier, more human-centered way for struggling business owners to get the helping hand they need. Now, four years later, Kiva has hit a record - $100 million in microloans. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Real Kindle Killer May Be the iPhone

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:12:00 GMT

Image via Flurry We've seen a rash of me e-readers coming out lately, including one that claims to be a Kindle killer- Barnes & Noble's Nook. However, the iPhone just might be a device for Kindle to really keep an eye on as a competitor. In September, the number of book-related apps sold for iPhones outpaced games for the first time, indicating that the iPhone is gaining popularity as a convenient device for ebook reading. In fact, one out of every five new apps hitting the apps store was for ebook reading, reports Flurry, a San Francisco-based mobile application analytics company. It could mean that rather than turning to a Kindle - or one of the many other e-readers hitting the market - iPhone users will simply pic up the device they already have. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

A Scary Halloween Treat - Cards Packed with Candy and e-Waste

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:00:00 GMT

My aunt takes good care of me - sending me little treats in the mail all the time. Yesterday I got a Halloween package in a cute little envelope. When I opened it, it proceeded to howl and cackle at me - a little recorded sound track that played every time you flexed the envelope open. On the one hand, I had to laugh, thinking about how she put thought into picking out this admittedly adorable envelope. On the other hand, I had to suppress anger that this stuff is made in the first place. Exactly what are we expecting will happen to these envelopes? ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

TED TALK: A Non-Reusable Syringe Could Save 1.3 Million Lives

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:25:00 GMT

Image via TED Around the globe, the reuse of dirty syringes kills 1.3 million people - more than malaria. Lack of time, money, access to new syringes, and simple ignorance are all issues behind reusing syringes in medical situations in places such as India. With 50 billion injections given each year, and half of those with dirty syringes, the spread of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis through reused syringes is significant. Marc Koska, however, feels there's another solution - a syringe that cannot be reused. He gives a great presentation on how the syringe can benefit millions of people worldwide. However, there seems to be ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

South Park Takes Aim at Whale Wars, Japan and Everyone Else

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:20:00 GMT

Image via South Park Studios South Park has done what it does best - make fun of everyone ruthlessly, hilariously, and without bias. Their latest episode takes on the Japanese (who hate all dolphins), Whale Wars' Captain Paul Watson (who isn't bad-ass enough), vegans, and anyone who eats meat yet is upset about dolphins killed for food. No one - not even the Miami Dolphins - are safe in this episode. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Energy Sun-Bag Makes Your Solar Power As Obvious As Possible

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:16:00 GMT

Photo via Press Release There's often something left to be desired when it comes to the styles of solar bags. Many are simply ugly, though quite a few also make it into the realm of hip. This bag falls somewhere in between, bordering on ugly if it didn't do such a great job of stating the obvious via a massive solar cell on the front flap - "This Bag Is Solar Powered!!" It's the Energy Sun-Bag from Neuber and Konarka Technologies.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Biomimicry in Medicine: Sharkskin-Inspired Material Stops Bacterial Breakouts

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:50:00 GMT

Image via PopSci Sharklet Technologies, a Florida-based biotech company, has figured out a way to capitalize on shark skin - specifically on the way parasites and bacteria can't stick to sharks. The trick is in the pattern of the skin's surface. Scientists have figured out how to print the pattern onto adhesive film, which wards off bacteria and is ideal for use in places like schools and hospitals where germs are easily spread. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

LG First Electronics Manufacturer to Get Thumbs Up From UL Environment

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:32:00 GMT

Images via LG After the embarrassment of being stripped of its Energy Star labels for refrigerator models last year, LG gets vetted by UL Environment for a SteamWasher and an LCD television set. LG is one of the first companies to have its products tested and vouched for by Underwriters Laboratories' new environmental arm. It's a strong move for both, since UL Environment is fairly new and needs to put it's stamp on products in the market place, and since LG needs the backing of a solid third party evaluator.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Recent Posts by TreeHugger's Jaymi Heimbuch, San Francisco, California