Nepalese locale will sacrifice 500,000 animals in November

Every five years, in the month of November, follows the Gadhimai, a Hindu festival which lasts a month where thousands of animals are sacrificed to honor the gods. 2014 is the year Gadhimai and, as such, it is estimated that between 250,000 and 300,000 be sacrificed animals.

Most animals are pigs, water buffalo, goats, chickens and pigeons. According to the reports, the last in 2009 Gadhimai, were killed near 500,000 animals. Typically, the festival begins with the sacrifice of animals smaller and, as the month unfolds, the size of the animals increases.

In addition to the large number of dead animals, the festival attracts thousands of pilgrims â€" in 2009 were close to five million, mainly from India, who offer their offerings to the goddess Gadhimai, referred to the Dodo.

Despite being forbidden to cross the Indian border with cattle, 80% of the pilgrims do, violating the laws of India as well as the international laws of the transport of live cattle. Additionally, the Indian State of Bihar, near the site where is organized the festival banned the sacrificial rituals. However, in Nepal the situation is different. In addition to being allowed to animal sacrifice, the Government subsidizes the practice. In 2009, the Government contributed € 44,200 for the festival.

Over the years, several animal protection associations have protested the practice, but never managed to avoid the ritual. Preparations for this year's Edition of Gadhimai have already begun, as well as the protests, but everything indicates that thousands of animals are once again slaughtered.

Foto:  Ronnie Macdonald / Creative Commons

Read More

A vertical garden interior that purifies the air while growing vegetables

The FreshWall is a vertical garden that redefines interior farming while maximizing air purification by plants. This innovative garden combines cutting-edge technology with the Scandinavian design, encouraging a greener lifestyle and sustainable.

Currently, the garden is only for business purposes, but the mentors launched a campaign on Indiegogo for the garden can be mass produced and made available to all. This new concept allows people who live in small spaces have their own vegetable garden, but vertical, while plants that grow there purify the air of the room.

The garden requires only some electricity and water, in case you're grown. Each FreshWall puifica the air with an efficiency equivalent to 100 normal plants and combines sophisticated technology that allows you to grow plants all year round, referred to Inhabitat. Thanks to the integrated system of irrigation, this Green Wall destroys the hazardous chemicals and ensures the growth of healthy plants.

.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;}*/Um jardim interior decorativo1of 12jQuery(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); }); });

Read More

New York: the Green Park that changes color with heat

The Green Carceri is the green expanse zig-zag shaped created by Studio Tarquitectos to the famous High Line Park, New York. The structure, which is organized around a central core, will have the ability to change color depending on the temperature.

The projected space will be equipped with a botanical research center, a library and a residential area, referred to in Inhabitat. A passive design and a variety of renewable energy systems will reduce the ecological footprint of the building while several Green ramps that emerge at ground level will be used as mini-jardins.

The main objective of design is to create an extension of the public space around the High Line. The building will have a green roof that provides insulation and leverages the rainwater for irrigation and for cooling the mechanical systems. The mini-jardins and mini-estufas will allow the citizens to interact with the Botanical Research Center and learn about urban gardens.

Additionally, the zig-zag form the extension promotes natural ventilation and is covered in ink with thermal properties that changes color depending on the outside temperature.

.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;}*/Um parque camaleónico1of 11jQuery(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); }); });

Read More

Warming in the Arctic can smooth winters in Europe

A warmer Arctic could lead to less extreme events â€" and less cold â€" in autumn and winter in Europe, parts of Asia and the United States, according to a study published on Sunday by the University of Exeter.

According to James Screen, researcher in Exeter, England, with the Arctic warmer, the cold winds that blow from the North are heating up faster than that blow from the South. This means that the reduction of variability in temperatures â€" and, potentially, less cold weather extremes.

Published in Nature Climate Change, the study goes against what many scientists said in recent years, while the links between Arctic warming and Jet currents â€" and how they influenced the weather systems around the world â€" were being studied.

Using climate models, Screen showed that these changes will continue in the future, with projected decreases in temperature variability in all seasons â€" with the exception of the summer.

Foto:  NASA Goddard Photo and Video / Creative Commons

Read More

An application that translate sign language in real time

Students of the School of communication Berghs, in Switzerland, developed an application that allows for real-time interaction between people who use sign language to communicate and those who can't understand the meaning of gestures used.

The application was awarded at the Cannes Film Festival, the biggest and most prestigious event of publication, communication and marketing in the world, and works with the aid of two electronic tracks used in the forearm of the person who carries out the signs.

Named Google Gesture, the application can analyze the movement of muscles, associate them to gestures and send the information to the smartphone, which would play the matching words in real time.

See the project.

Although the application using "Google" in their name, the company is not involved in the project. In fact, this application was created for an advertising campaign, having forecast still to be developed in the short term. Nobody wants to take on this idea?

Read More

Azores: search at sea the solution to the economy (with video)

All Portuguese regions use different strategies to boost the local economy, taking into account their cultural and geographical capital gains. The Azores are no exception, and the tradition linked to the sea always comes to mind of the rulers when it comes time to invest in tourism and services.

One example is the SailAzores, a company founded in 2010 and who rents sailboats with and without skipper. The company emerged from the dream of two sisters and two brothers-in-law and received some help from regional government. "The passion for the Azores by sea and boats made us study the market and understand that there was a gap in the market: no one was renting boats without a skipper," explained Nicholas Faria, partner at SailAzores.

The first sailboat cost 300 thousand, but the total investment already totals € 1 million, since they are already four boats held by SailAzores. "Through Community funds, the regional Government has a program of incentives. We have enjoyed this program and earned the trust of the regional Government, "explained Nicholas would do.

In 2010, never thinking of the four partners that SailAzores grow so much. Like all other professional lives, the solution went through hiring two employees â€" for the marketing department and for the maintenance of sailboats.

With 350 to 400 customers per year, the next step of SailAzores is to allow the anchor in bays in the archipelago. "We will create the project Anchoring Azores and put, as a first step, five anchoring buoys around the islands of the central group. In a second phase will increase the number of buoys, "said Nicholas would do.

When the project is on the ground, SailAzores customers will be able to spend the night in the Bay. According to company officials, the business will continue to grow and there's room for new companies of sailing yachts rental option without skipper, the example of what already exists in Greece, Italy, Croatia. See the episode 275 of the green economy.

Read More

Switzerland: roofs give way to urban gardens

The large roofs, mechanical plans and without use are perfect to install urban gardens. At least that's what you think the Italian architect António Scarponi, enthusiast for producing food within cities and decided to create an opportunity for agricultural activities in Basel, Switzerland.

Antonio took advantage of the unused spaces of the city and set up a space for urban agriculture these roofs. In just 400 square meters, the responsible implemented two prefabricated modules: a greenhouse for the production of plants and containers for other purposes, the companies Office cloakrooms and storerooms.

Second counts the sustainable planet, was even installed a hydroponic system to create a balanced environment. Thus, while a fish tank nourishes the vegetables, plants clean the water from the fish.

The architect asserts that any industrial building plan can produce food and behave spaces like this, that can be arranged in different layouts.

.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;}*/As hortas no telhado1of 9jQuery(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); }); });

Read More