Can Cutting Native Forests for Furniture be OK? Nativas del Sur Shows it Can

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:30:11 GMT

Photos: Courtesy Nativas del Sur. Can you make super sleek furniture with wood from native ancient forests in a sustainable way? This project from Argentina that works with selective logging and super efficient use of wood suggests you can. More details inside.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Totally Cool and Easy to Make Recycled Plastic Bags Rain Boots

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:00:56 GMT

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Rigano. We've seen plenty of things with fused plastic bags, one of the best being the Chilean plastic bags boots we featured last year. However, few look like something that you would wear or that can be easily done. Until now.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

8 Green Ideas Revolutionizing Fashion Manufacturing

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:43:32 GMT

Photos: AirDye, Tristar. We're all familiar with green fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo and hemp, but which new materials and practices are moving fashion forward to a greener, brighter future? Here are eight processes and fabrics paving the way.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Guy Builds Massive House with Recycled Glass Bottles, Teaches you How to Do It (Video)

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:35:54 GMT

Photo: Lauri TG. If you liked the house made with plastic bottles in Parque Iguazu, this one will blow you away. Tito Ingenieri, a character from a city called Quilmes, about an hour south from Buenos Aires, has built a massive home made entirely from beer bottles and trash. And by massive, we mean...... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Exquisite Wool Coats and Garments by Ana Livni Slow Fashion

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:15:49 GMT

Photos: AnaLivni.com As we mentioned on a previous article, Uruguayan brand Ana Livni works with the concept of slow fashion: collections that don't follow seasons, timeless clothes, local materials and slow manufacture. For the 2010 southern cold season, they've revealed a set of new creations under the name 'Entrevero' at the latest edition of Buenos Aires Fashion week (their previous collection was in 2008). Even if it's getting hotter in the north, take a look and get inspired for next winter.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ecobici: Official Bike Sharing Program Launched in Mexico City

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:10:54 GMT

Image: Ecobici's Facebook page. Although the city already had a private bike-sharing program, the government of the Mexican capital has recently launched the official Ecobici. The initial phase includes 85 stations across the city and over 1,000 bikes. More inside.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ruins of Electric Train Turned into Terribly Cool Amusement Park in Lima (Photos)

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:15:01 GMT

Photos: Basurama. How much do we love seeing old urban structures renovated and serving a purpose? A thousand times better if that purpose is seeing kids laugh so hard like the girls in the picture above. This is the work of well known Spanish group Basurama, which has turned the ruins of an abandoned project for an electric train in Lima, Peru, into an amusement park. Many more pics inside.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Portugal's New Bike Paths are Filled with Poetry (Video)

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:35:57 GMT

Photo: Curitiba Cycle Chic. Beautiful and romantic: a new set of bike paths placed next to the Tejo river, in Lisboa, are filled with phrases from O Guardador de Rebanhos, a poem by famous Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa (which he wrote under one of is pseudonyms, Alberto Caeiro). While it would seem a little strange to read while pedaling, this video showing a trip through the paths with sweet music sure makes you want to go out and bike around. Video inside.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Biking in Buenos Aires Just Got Easier: Introducing the City's New Bike Paths

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:15:37 GMT

Photo: Courtesy of Buenos Aires government. If you're thinking about traveling to Buenos Aires, consider taking your bike with you. The promise of 100 kilometers of new bike paths is becoming a reality with new safe, separated-from-traffic lanes popping up in different parts of the city. Take a look at the map inside.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Batucada: Uber Cool Home Accessories from Recycled Aluminum

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:45:31 GMT

Photos: Courtesy of Jahara Studio. Made entirely from recycled aluminum and 100% recyclable at the end of their lifetime, these home accessories are the first creation of Jahara studio in Brazil. Their name, Batucada, refers to a percussion beat used in carnaval parties in that country, in which people often play instruments made of tin (hence the beaten aesthetics of the collection). More pieces and colors inside. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Spectacular Brazilian Treehouses by Casa Na Arvore (Slideshow)

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:54:34 GMT

Photo: Courtesy Casa na Arvore. If you're a regular at TreeHugger, you probably know our love for treehouses: they usually have a great use of space, connect us with nature,open up ground space, and -- let's face it -- they're a lot of fun. We've already seen crazy designs from German firm Baumraum and seriously cool ones from several other architects, including the impossibly cool Swedish mirrored treehouse concept. Now we present the fabulous designs from Brazilian firm Casa na Arvore. Take a look -- and die with envy for those who live here. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Spectacular Brazilian Treehouses by Casa Na Arvore

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:50:22 GMT

Anyone who reads TreeHugger knows we love treehouses, so here are a few more to add to our obsession. Casa na Arvore, is a Brazilian firm that has been building fabulous spaces in trees since 2003, and on the following pages, you'll see the best of their work. Run by entrepreneur Ricardo Brunelli with engineer Everaldo Pletz and the Rossato family, the firm has a collective 200 years of experience. At left, the designers' first treehouse, built over a ficus centenary tree.

Courtesy Casa na Arvore.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Amazing House Made Entirely of Plastic Bottles from Argentina (Photos)

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:12:59 GMT

Photos: Courtesy of house owners. At Puerto Iguazu, near the frontier between Argentina and Brazil, lies this amazing house made entirely with recycled materials. Made by a local family, its walls have over 1200 PET bottles and its ceiling, more than 1300 Tetra Pak cartons. Find out more and see more pics inside.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Brazil Confirms Huge and Controversial Hydroelectric Dam in the Amazon

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:10:52 GMT

The Xingu river, where the dam will be built. Photo: Leo Freitas. The environmental Ministry of Brazil has announced a controversial project to build a huge hydroelectric dam in the middle of the Amazon forest has been granted an environmental license. In exchange, the government is asking the winning bidder 803 million US dollars in compensation for ecological damages. Find out why Sting might get annoyed with the news inside.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Fake Trees Art Installation is a Home for Migrating Birds in Chile

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:35:46 GMT

Photos: Courtesy of Claudio Magrini and Emilio Marin. Here's a good example of how art, landscape design and architecture can team with ecological concepts to create something that is both pleasant to the eye and good for the environment surrounding it. These 'fake trees' were designed by Chilean architects Claudio Magrini and Emilio Marin to improve the visuals on a road leading to Santiago, while inviting migrating birds to feel less interrupted by the route and more at home in their way. More photos inside.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

ARMO: Exchangeable Shoes by Rodrigo Alonso

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:40:48 GMT

Photos: Courtesy of Rodrigo Alonso. A funny look but interesting idea: ARMO is a line of ready-to-assemble shoes meant to be transformed, customized, disassembled and flattened. Produced under fair trade practices by a group of people in need, they come inside an envelope, saving space in transportation and being extremely portable by users. A close-up in the extended.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Lovely Outfits and Accessories from Recovered Fabrics by Cruz Della Casa

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:40:24 GMT

Photos: Courtesy of Cruz Della Casa. We know it's still winter in the northern hemisphere, but these sunny pictures of Cruz Della Casa's latest clothing and accessories collection will sure get you dreaming about summer.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Dr. Gabriel Cousens on Curing Diabetes with Raw Food and on Why Going Vegan Makes Sense

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Over the past months, stories on animal cruelty and the downsides of eating animal products have put the subject of going vegan on the table perhaps like never before. Whether you've already quit meat or not, this is perhaps the perfect time to listen to American doctor Gabriel Cousens. A medical doctor, psychiatrist and family therapist, he has become a household name in the subject of raw vegan food, and even sustains this diet can cure diabetes and depression.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Ecuador's Plan to Protect the Amazon Gets Deadline, Minister Resigns

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:10:07 GMT

Fander Falconi, Former Foreign Affairs Minister of Ecuador. Photo: Reuters. Fander Falconi, Foreign Affairs Minister of Ecuador, has resigned due to differences with president Rafael Correa in the issue of the country's plan to protect the Yasuni reservation at the Amazon forest. The president of Ecuador has also set a deadline for the project. If expectations not met, the Amazon gets it.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Oh So Cute Wool Felt Boots and Slippers from Oveja Llena

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:00:00 GMT

Photos: Courtesy of Oveja Llena. Thinking about warming up those feet without involving mainly leather? Oveja Llena has a new line of boots, slippers and hats made from natural wool felt. Take a closer look to the many models inside.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Calendar Uses Shocking Photos and Stunning Latin Stars to Raise Eco Awareness (Slideshow)

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:09:00 GMT

Photo: Courtesy of Gaby Herbstein and Fundacion Azara. In a new calendar for 2010, gorgeous Latin actors and models are featured in shocking poses sending home eco messages. A collaboration between the Azara Foundation and fashion photographer Gaby Herbstein, the calendar showcases 12 famous Latin stars representing some of the most important environmental issues of our time. Part of the campaign Ecological Footprint, the calendar was conceived to raise awareness and motivate people to change their approach to deforestation, global warming, air pollution, and more. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Calendar Uses Shocking Photos and Stunning Latin Stars to Raise Eco Awareness

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:06:18 GMT

Born in Puerto Rico, Alessandra Rampolla is considered the most famous sexologist in Latin America, where she has been advising men and women on how to improve their sex lives. That's why the fact that she embodies global warming is so perfect. She's the January spread of the Ecological Footprint Calendar--which makes perfect sense when you consider in Latin America, and especially in Argentina, January is a very hot month. A collaboration between the Azara Foundation and fashion photographer Gaby Herbstein, the calender uses 12 famous Latin stars to embody the most important environmental subjects of our time with the hopes to raise awareness on these issues and motivate people to change.

Courtesy Gaby Herbstein and Azara Foundation.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Gabriel Cousens, Authority in Raw Food and Curing Diabetes, in Argentina

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:10:52 GMT

Image: GabrielCousens.com. American medical doctor, psychiatrist, family therapist and raw food authority Gabriel Cousens is arriving to Argentina this week to give a series of courses and talks in Buenos Aires. If you're in town, take a look at the activities in the extended; if you're not, get to know who Cousens is and why he makes total sense.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Mexico City to Build New Bike Paths and Get Public Bike-Sharing

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:00:08 GMT

Photo: OmarOmar. Authorities from Mexico have announced that the city is finally getting the new bike paths that had been delayed due to lack of funds and that February could be the month they launch the public bike-sharing system.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Cool Green Walls and Balconies on the New Buenos Aires Museum of Modern Art (Photos)

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:00:16 GMT

Photos: Emilio Ambasz (architect). This is what the Buenos Aires Museum of Modern Art could look like in one year and a half time, when the restoration and extension works that are taking place in the building finish. Green walls and balconies will give the building and its pieces of art a new life. Take a closer look inside.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Sans Parapluie Turns Old Wardrobes into Pieces of Art

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:00:01 GMT

Photos: SansParapluie.com Funny how with a touch of creativity, an old piece of furniture can not only come back to life, but also become a valuable work of art. This is the goal of Sans Parapluie, a line by Argentine artist Lucas Rise.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

First in South America: Uruguay to Test Cultivation of Industrial Hemp

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:45:06 GMT

Hemp harvesting. Photo: Wikimedia. Great news for TreeHuggers in South America: Uruguay could become the first country in the region to authorize the cultivation of industrial hemp, according to El Pais newspaper. The national Ministry of Cattle, Agriculture and Fishing has authorized an experimental cultivation of hemp to take place in october 2010. If the results are successful, the country could grant permits to producers to start growing.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

New Incredibly Cool Refurbished Clothing by Ropa Docenada (12-Na)

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:45:51 GMT

Photos: Ropa Docenada 12-Na. How can refurbished clothing look this great? Leave it to Ropa Docenada (12-Na), a fashion firm based in both Argentina and Chile, to do the work. You might remember them from a brief post a few years ago, but you have to see what they've been up to lately. Even if you're not in South America, the ideas for clothing refurbishing are something to have in mind.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Rustic yet Modern, Beautiful Furniture with Wood Leftovers from Brazil (Photos)

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:30:11 GMT

We've talked about Lara Donatoni Matana's work before, but we recently came across these amazing pieces of design she's been working with over the past years. More info and pics inside.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Seeds, Leaves, Wood from the Amazon Make Sleek, Classy Jewelry

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:30:02 GMT

Photos: Courtesy of Haia Trading. Haia Trading is a new company dedicated to spread Brazilian products and culture around the world, and one of their first releases is this delicate line of jewelry by designer Adriana Zaccaro. The pieces are made with seeds, stones, leaves, fibers and wood native from the Amazon forest, involving local communities. Take a closer look to the pieces inside.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Recent Posts by TreeHugger's Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires