InsectCity: fifth of insects can make Stockholm self-sufficient

The atelier Swedish Belatchew Arkitekter has one purpose: to make the city of Stockholm self-sufficient in proteins. To this end, his lab of experimental projects created the InsectCity, which includes the BuzzBuilding â€" a farm for the production of edible insects.

It is estimated that in 2050 the Earth is inhabited by nine billion people and the issue of sustainable food production for these people remains. One of the solutions is to find an alternative to meat production and an available source of protein are the insects.

There are about 1,900 species of edible insects and about two billion people around the world eat insects. The production of proteins from insects is more efficient than meat production â€" are accurate, for example, ten pounds of feed to produce a pound of meat but the same quantity of food allows you to produce nine pounds of insects.

In 2018, Stockholm should have 940,700 inhabitants. According to the Belatchew Arkitekter to produce proteins from insects that match the meat consumption of the inhabitants have a farm with 500,000 square feet. And, by building insect farms in nine roundabouts of the city the goal of self-sufficiency in proteins can be reached.

In order to allow citizens to view how can be urban insect production atelier designed the BuzzBuilding, which would be located in Vanadisplan, offering 10,350 square meters of surface for the creation of crickets. The structure consists of a building which integrates the production flow of insects, from eggs to ready-to-eat insects.

Additionally, the BuzzBuilding aims to be a sanctuary for the endangered species of wild bees, which in addition to allow continuity of species allows Stockholm is a city with plenty of fruit and florida.

The main structure of the prototype is a steel exoskeleton, coated with an external skeleton, inspired by the structure of insects. On the fifth floor there is a restaurant, where the insects are prepared and sold. The ultimate goal is to make the public production.

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Ecological cooperative inaugurates tourist complex in Arrábida (with video)

For two days, a group of young people of Lisbon discovered some of the secrets of the Arrábida National Park. They were the first guests of the newly opened tourist complex of sustainable cooperative Biovilla.

Intended for nature tourism, the building takes advantage of renewable energies and was built with environmental criteria. "We chose a local supplier, with certified timbers. [We use] the least concrete as possible, and as much natural materials, "explained to the green economy Barbara Lion, of Biovilla.

The complex has the capacity to accommodate groups wishing to enjoy the Arrábida National Park, one of the most beautiful in the Country and, certainly, one of the closest of Lisbon.

Created four years ago by a group of entrepreneurs of Palmela, the cooperative Biovilla has on his team engineers, managers, architects and biologists, for a total of 12 elements with a common ideal.

"We created a multidisciplinary team and focused on a common vision. Each of us has a different background and function, [so] can contribute complementary to this common vision: bring the sustainability of the daily life of people, "explained Barbara lion.

The Biovilla grows and distributes biological products based on Permaculture and focus on training in various areas and follow-up of projects, in a vision of consultancy. Learn more about this cooperative in episode 267 of the green economy.

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Young 15 years the Philippines creates insole that helps load iPod with your feet

The young Angelo Casimiro, of only 15 years, invented a shoe insole capable of producing enough electricity to charge small USB devices, such as an iPod. To this end, the user of the appliance. Just walk.

The unit is composed of piezoelectric materials, which can generate electricity Casimiro, when pressed. During testing of the sock, the young of the Philippines descobriru to run for eight hours straight can charge a Li-ion battery of 400 mAh. After inventing the insole, young even made a tutorial on how to create this charger.

Angelo Casimiro signed up your project in the Google Science Fair, the fair of innovation and online technology to young people between 13 and 18 years old â€" and that's why the news came to us. The winner will meet the basis of releases of Virgin Galactic, in the United States, and will be among the first to greet the astronauts when they return to Earth, among other prizes.

"This can provide energy for personal devices, especially if you live in remote areas without electricity. Can carry flashlights, radios, cell phones or any other USB device, "explained Angelo in this video.

.fancybox-wrap { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; z-index: 8020; } .fancybox-skin { position: relative; /*margin-top:20px !important;*/ background: #222222; color: #74b32e; text-shadow: none; -webkit-border-radius: 2px; -moz-border-radius: 2px; border-radius: 2px; } .fancybox-opened { z-index: 8030; } .fancybox-opened .fancybox-skin { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } .fancybox-outer, .fancybox-inner { position: relative; } .fancybox-inner { overflow: hidden; } .fancybox-type-iframe .fancybox-inner { -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } .fancybox-close{ background: url('wp-content/themes/codistage/styles/fancybox/exit.png') no-repeat; width:25px; height:25px; float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-right:5px; } /*.ngg-gallery-image img{width:565px; height:393px;}*/Angelo Casimiro, um inventor de 15 anos1of 8jQuery(document).ready(function($) { var thumbContainerWidth = 0, thumbs = Array(), selectedIndex = 1, thumbIndex = 1, imageOffset = 7; $('.ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box').each(function() { thumbs.push($(this)); }); /*thumbnail navigation */ $('.ngg-greensavers-thumb-next').unbind().bind('click', function(e) { e.preventDefault(); if(thumbIndex<= (thumbs.length-imageOffset)) { $('.ngg-thumbnails-container').stop().animate({ left : -$(thumbs[thumbIndex]).position().left }); thumbIndex++; } }); $('.ngg-greensavers-thumb-prev').unbind().bind('click', function(e) { e.preventDefault(); if(thumbIndex >1) { $('.ngg-thumbnails-container').stop().animate({ left : $('.ngg-thumbnails-container').position().left + ( $(thumbs[thumbIndex-1]).position().left - $(thumbs[thumbIndex-2]).position().left ) }); thumbIndex--; } }); $(window).load(function() { /* set thumbnail container width */ $('.ngg-gallery-thumbnail').each(function() { thumbContainerWidth = thumbContainerWidth + $(this).width() + 10; }); $('.ngg-thumbnails-container').width(thumbContainerWidth); }); });

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An ecological paradise in the abandoned village of Espingueira, Cape Verde (with videos)

The locality of Espingueira, in the North of the island of Boa Vista, Cape Verde, ever been completely in ruins. Today, however, she is a pit of sustainability, as a result of the investment of an Italian family who fell in love with the place.

"The Spinguera ecolodge came out of my father's dream, who fell in love with the island and saw something special in this abandoned village," explained the Italian Larissa Lazzari to green economy. "I was in love, hence the suggestion of reconstruct the ancient ruins instead of creating a new venture", explained the responsible.

At the age of 36 years, Larissa is proud to say that spent almost a third of his life, 11 years in Cape Verde. And that's where it intends to build family and see their children grow, continuing his father's dream of reconciling the hospitality industry to sustainability.

Today, tourists from various countries give a new life to abandoned village, several years ago, by Cape Verdeans, due to drought. "From 1967 to 1978 it didn't rain in Espingueira", explained the master builder Antonio Santos, project manager.

The construction of Spinguera lasted four years and manpower came from the nearest village. "I was alone among 16 to 18 men," joked. "Little by little we did everything."

The houses are made of stone and lime and has 12 rooms. Complete the ecolodge a reception, a restaurant, a bar and other facilities of the hotel. "Respect for the environment and for the people, culture and local architecture is our vocation."

The hotel is powered by electricity generated locally, with the help of the wind and the Sun. The water comes from a hole but, as scarce resource, guests are invited to save her.

See the episode 266 of the green economy, dedicated to morabeza Cape Verde.

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Thawing polar ice cap could unleash billions of pieces of plastic to the sea

The Arctic polar caps that are now melting will liberate more than a billion pieces of plastic to the sea over the next 10 years. According to a new study, there are billions of servings of plastic fangs icy regions. As the ice caps are melting, the plastic will be released into the food chain, threatening marine life, clogging waterways and harming the ecosystem of the oceans.

The study, published in the journal Earth's Future, indicates that there is a considerable amount of junk trapped in the ice, which was identified by the research teams. Most of this garbage is comprised of microplastic, the remains of plastic objects decomposed or from cosmetics containing microspheres, referred to Inhabitat. As the ice forms, this microplastic gets stuck in ice until the ice melts.

Scientists hope that at least two billion cubic metres of Arctic ice melt in the next decade, releasing microplásticos were simultaneously. During the investigation, scientists found among the 38 234 pieces of plastic per cubic meter of ice. This means that, in the worst-case scenario, the estimated one billion pieces of plastic released can be low. Additionally, the plastics act as magnets, attracting other pollutants become more toxic and dangerous to marine life.

Foto:  { pranav } / Creative Commons

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10 de evidence that traffic is killing us slowly

Miss de mobility is one of the oldest issues of urban sustainability, a real challenge and that every city, large or small, have de face. Many of the major cities on the planet lived years after years of ignoring the problem, leaving for future generations and future rulers da Discovery solution.

Now, all has little time to develop strategies de traffic mitigation, either through da public transport expansion â€" a solution man, especially at a time when Europe is in a financial crossroads, encouraging de sharing cars, use da bike or telecommuting.

The Brazilian site sustainable planet left that that would have been one of the worst scenarios always de transit de world â€" last Friday, Are placed one million automobiles de Paulo on the streets, due to the strike of public transport â€" to prove that traffic is running out not only with our patience and our life.

On that day, in São Paulo, the rain made an appearance in the city, which worsened the congestion and 251 km queue de originated â€" was the slowest morning da da city history. See the 10 ways in which traffic is killing us.

1. Pollution

Pollution caused by vehicles causes 4,600 deaths for years just in the State Are de Paulo, Brazil. The pollution generated is responsible for reducing 1.5 years de de da population lives in the metropolitan area Are de Paulo, which concentrates more de 20 millions de people. The cost of medical care for people who suffer cardiorespiratory diseases linked to cars de reaches almost to € 325 million ($ 1 billion) per year.

2. Obesity

A study da de University Sydney, Australia, shows that people who lead daily to work have a tendency to 13% de stay overweight or become obese. And that remains when they do exercise and take time for leisure or after the trips.

3. Hyperglycemia

A study da de da de University Medicine School Saint Louis and the Cooper Institute in Dallas, USA, reveals that drive more de 16 miles a day is associated with larger indices de glucose (sugar) in the blood.

4. high cholesterol

Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the earlier study also relates to drive to work every day with high cholesterol, which is linked to cardiovascular diseases.

5. Depression

Among the 4,297 interviewed for the research University da de Saint Louis, it was proven that those who spent more time in traffic had larger trends to depression, anxiety and anti-social behavior.

6. Anxiety

A search of the Office of National Statistics in Britain, shows that people who take more de half an hour to move up to the work showed the highest rates de stress and anxiety, as well as greater dissatisfaction with life in General.

 7. high blood pressure

Get to work on time de tip can temporarily raise your blood pressure even if there's no congestion. This was proven in a survey made by the University de Utah, USA. Thus they separated two groups on a simulator test de de direction.

For both groups was given a scenario in which the respondent was late for a meeting in which to gain money, but one of the groups conducted a simulation with more cars on the road, while the other is not. Although coming at the same time and with the same average speed, the group that left in de simulation via with more cars showed faster heartbeat and picos de da blood pressure elevation, increasing the potential risk de stroke.

8. Sleep impaired

De 2012 Edition da Regus Work-life Balance, a survey is made annually in 80 countries with about de 16 thousand workers, shows that whoever spends more 45 minutes in de ida or back from work declares having a sleep worse and shows signs more evident de exhaustion.

9. Relationships destroyed

De still accordance with Regus, who makes time-consuming travel between work and home puts more pressure on family and friends. These workers have 40% more chance de separated conjugal partners de.

10. body aches

Backaches, necks, arms and legs are common when the matter more de two hours in traffic. But don't worry, at least this can be relieved with a few exercises de stretching.

Foto:  Oran Viriyincy / Creative Commons

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As the forests if recovered from the fires in the time of dinosaurs?

There are 66 million years ago, the forests recovered of the fires the same way today, according to a team of researchers at McGill University and the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Canada.

The research â€" which began with the excavation of fossil plants preserved in rocks deposited in the last days of the age of the dinosaurs â€" found that, in some of them, there was an abundant record of fossilized coal.

The excavations may reveal more information about the climate of our planet in prehistory. Studies are still being developed, but there is already one conclusion: the annual average temperature in southern Saskatchewan, Canada, was 10 to 12 C warmer than today, being six times greater than rainfall. These features did not prevent, however, that the recovery of forests was equal to that of our days.

"In the excavation of fossil plants preserved in rocks deposited in the last days of the age of the dinosaurs, some of them [were] preserved with abundant fossilized carbon, and others without him," said Hans Larsson, one of the researchers. "From this, we can reconstruct the Cretaceous forests were like with and without the disturbance of fires."

The diversity of plants and animals can be affected by forest fires, and the discovery will help scientists understand it immediately before the dinosaurs being extinct. The study was published in the Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeocology, according to the Red Orbit.

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