Allow renewable energy self-sufficiency the Quintinha de Monserrate, Sintra (with video)

Since July the Quintinha de Monserrate, a pedagogical farm situated less than three miles from the historic centre of Sintra, is more sustainable. The Farm off the net is what you might call a green project-inside-of-another-Green project and gives the Monserrate a first approach to the concept of green economy.

"The farm is a place where we privilege all contact with the rural surroundings and traditions, particularly in this region country. We want to make known to all the people on Earth and the animals, "he explained to the green economy Susana Morales, the Sintra Parks.

To enverdecer the project was created the Farm outside the network, generating electricity of renewable origin for self-consumption. "In the Sierra de Sintra can harness wind power, hydro and solar power. This project allows us to be self-sufficient. We're not dependent on the public network for what we need in terms of energy consumption, "explained Green Savers Susana Morales.

This structure does not require a cumbersome licensing process, unlike other renewable energy solutions. "It's within reach of all [implement this system]. Just have the will and effort to want to change something, "explains Nuno Oliveira, the Sintra Parks.

And money, we've added. The Sintra Parks invested € 60,000 in small farm outside the network, distributed between a wind turbine â€" wind energy â€" a hydro turbine-hydro energy â€" and a set PV-solar power. All are connected to a central, as you can see in episode 301 of the green economy.

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The Japanese Government wants to reactivate nuclear facilities by the end of the year

The Japanese Government received the green light to nuclear power regulators to end the period "nuclear zero" which was enacted following the radioactive disaster occurred in central Fukushima Prefecture, in 2011. The objectives of the Government led by Shinzo Abe are now for two reactors Sendai Center into operation before the end of 2014.

However, the regulator has indicated that for the reentrem reactors into operation it is necessary that the operator can convince local population Center that the resumption of nuclear production is safe. But the task won't be easy, since the Japanese public opinion is now aware of the dangers inherent to nuclear energy and stands strongly against reactivation of reactors from various country's core.

Although the Government aims to pass by the reactivation of the reactors before the end of the year, this will be unlikely. The Kyushu Electric Power, the company that operates the Sendai plant, still lacks to complete some legal and security with the nuclear regulator, referred to Inhabitat.

Sendai Center was the first to submit to the Governor the new additional measures of security, which aim to reduce the impact of earthquakes and tsunamis in reactors. In total, has been asked to reactivation of 20 nuclear reactors in 10 distinct plants.

Foto: Greenpeace Australia Pacific / Creative Commons

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The Blue Lagoon geothermal with regenerative powers

The Iceland is a fascinating country in many respects and its blue lagoon with regenerative powers is no exception. The name derives from the amazing blue color which features and the waters that feed comes from runoff of a geothermal plant located nearby.

These waters have regenerative characteristics and function as a kind of Spa, with temperatures between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius throughout the year, attracting millions of people annually, referred to Inhabitat.

The bright blue of the lagoon is due to high concentrations of silica, minerals and algae. Although the water itself is a milky white shade, sunlight reflects silica and algae add a bit of Green pigment. In the end, the result is a luminous blue.

Although the other geothermal lagoons of Iceland are also rich in minerals, only the ratio of minerals found in the Blue Lagoon has regenerative characteristics, ideal for people with skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis.

In the background the lagoon there is a geothermal plant. By taking advantage of this type of energy to generate electricity, the Iceland managed to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. In 2011, about 66% of the energy produced in Iceland came from geothermal resources.

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The Museum of Paris that was swallowed by vegetation

Visit the Eiffel Tower is mandatory for who goes to Paris, then a spell at Museé du Quai Branly-the Museum of Arts and civilizations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas â€" which until it's close, can be an inspiration for high architectural template.

Designed by Jean Nouvel with the endorsement of the former French President, Jacques Chirac, the Museé du Quai Branly has on its impressive green coverage to your architectural added value. Its facade is completely covered with a green wall of 12.1 meters and 198 meters in length, which serves as natural insulation and improves air quality.

The green wall is designed by Gilles Clément and Patrick Blanc â€" is one of the most famous works of Blanc, passionate about biodiversity. To enter the Museum, visitors have to go through a long sequence of paths in maze, secret gardens and trees.

The Museum is a true oasis in the city, and its gardens and relaxing green spaces are much used by tourists to catch up on your reading or simply rest your feet. If you don't know the location, here are some of its spaces.

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Brazilian tourist town environmental charge € 7 per car

With 16,900 inhabitants, the city of Bombinhas, on the coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil, is invaded by tourists in the summer. Every year, about 1 million visitors arriving in the city, which is causing serious environmental disturbances on site and that prompted the Board to approve a fee of € 7 ($ 20) for every car that enters into Firecrackers.

The draft law provides for a tariff to enter the city, the so-called Environmental preservation Fee (TPA), which has already been approved by the Executive and hopes now for constitutionality, which is being considered by the local public prosecutor. If no irregularities are found, the rate comes into operation on 15 November, holiday in that country.

"The advancement of environmental degradation is very aggressive," explained Ana Paula da Silva, the Mayor of the city, the UOL. "The fares are compensation for the city. We live for tourism and quaremos the coming of tourists, but the recovery is just and necessary, including to improve the visitors ' own infrastructure, "continued.

The money raised by the fee will be applied in the preservation of the environment, infrastructure, public sanitation and sanitation measures. About 70% of the territory is considered permanent preservation area, but only 10% of the municipality's sanitation service.

Upon reaching the entrance to the city, the vehicles will be monitored by a device similar to a radar, which makes reading the boards for the subsequent sending of billing to the visitor. Payment may also be made in advance.

The fee must be in force between 15 November and 15 April and may be paid online, in branches and other locations. After the issuance of the fare, the driver can get in and out of town for a period of 12:0 am. If the visitor entry and exit only at the end of your stay, only will be charged a fee.

Residents and tourists who own real estate in the city are exempt of payment, as well as some types of transport, such as ambulances, trucks and official vehicles; service providers or vehicles that do trade supply previously registered; and public transportation.

Here are some pictures of Bombinhas.

Photo: Andreia Reis/Renato Pereira/pratiproy/Creative Commons

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Portland: new bridge prohibits passage of automobiles

The city of Portland, in the United States, will receive in 2015 a bridge where they spend all ... except cars. Called Tilijum Crossing, Bridge of the People â€" "people's bridge" in Portuguese â€" the infrastructure will be inaugurated in the fall of next year and will cost €105 million ($ 300 million).

The bridge, which will be the first built in the city since the Fremont Bridge in 1973, can lead a new phase in the construction of these infrastructures: is that she does not allow the passage of vehicles, only public buses, lightrail, trams, cyclists and pedestrians.

The only vehicles allowed on the bridge are the emergency-and that makes perfect sense, of course. With 5.1 miles long, the Bridge of the People started out as a bridge to the lightrail, stretching, then, for the other soft modes.

"This is an act of urban planning, maybe more than one transit project," explained Dan Blocher, executive director of TriMet. The bridge follows directly to the South Waterfront area, a former industrial area which is today an eco-neighborhood-housing options are more efficient than in other areas of Portland, there are biological markets and numerous public transport offerings.

"This bridge is not for everyone. Many like to drive due to their timetables, because they have children and other arguments. But for all that are in the public transport system, is another car off the streets, "explains Blocher. "We have to look at the transportation system as a whole".

The new bridge will be the sixth of Portland, a path that began in 1910 with the Hawthorne bridge, the oldest of the United States with vertical elevation.

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Architects want to turn the World Cup stadiums in cheap housing

2014 World Cup ended in July and most of the 12 stadiums constructed for the event will be forgotten now. Designed to accommodate large audiences, the stadiums will now receive a few thousand fans per game â€" as happened in Portugal in the Euro 2004, with the stadiums in Aveiro, Coimbra, Leiria and Algarve.

To try that not all bad news, the architects Axel of Stampa and Sylvain Macaux launched the Football House project, which led them to imagine housing units in the existing structures of the stadiums â€" as you can see in the pictures below.

According to the architects, which are part of the 1Week1Project project, the dwellings would be accessible to all and installed between the pillars of cement placed in the perimeter around the stadiums â€" an unused space.

In this plan, the architects kept the original function of the stadiums â€" serve as venue for football matches â€" and reserve some percentage of the money from tickets for maintenance of residential units.

According to Inhabitat, the Brazil prepares to decide what to do with the buildings built for the World Cup. Many of them temporary, will be dismantled, or reused. There are others that will simply be demolished and some people argue that if transformed into stadiums public parks â€" an unbelievable idea, taking into account your overall cost.

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