This may be called living for a cause!! When we are trying to make everything environmental friendly, why not die the same way? The German made Uono Cocoon is a customized product manufactured exclusively by hand to reinterpret the traditional coffin design. Uono, representing premium quality selection of materials as well as the high-class workmanship is an innovative and exceptional natural product.

The model COCOON combines aesthetics and functional simplicity. Its organic space reminds us of a timeless sculpture. As Cocoon, the coffin symbolizes a feeling of security and care as well as the crossing of something transcendental. Available in 14 colors, it weighs only 20 kgs making it easier to carry, move and lay out.� Endowed with high-gloss finished varnish, extendable handles of stainless steel and noble lining it degrades in 10-15 years, is CO2 neutral, the gloss finish is water based, it can be used in the cremation process, and is made from renewable primary resources.

Although the manufactures aren’t ready to divulge details about the material being used to make the Cocoon, they state that it is hand shaped, placed in a mould, heated and hardened in an oven, then finished by hand. Besides, it comes to you in a secure wooden box and with a special base frame.
So for all those who want to leave the mortal world as much in style, as they led in while alive, this is one important purchase before you close your eyes to the world.

Via uono.de

Creating a sustainable infrastructure in remote areas across the world is a challenge faced by communities and governments constantly. This problem is magnified in continents such as Africa where the vast jungles and the dense vegetation keep communities and villages isolated from the rest of the planet. While the entire continent is linked by satellite technology, it is the base stations that are missing. Envision Solar International’s LifeVillage Modular Concept aims at powering the remote areas to life using solar power.

The LifeVillage concept includes Envision Solar’s LifePort and LifePod modular steel-frame structures that are equipped with solar panels that provide between 1.5 and 4 kW of electricity. Energy storage is provided in the form of batteries to supply electricity outside of daylight hours. The LifeVillage also incorporates a self-contained water treatment unit to capture and reuse water. This technology can be used to power remote communities and help them flourish using clean energy.

Applications for the LifeVillage include the creation of medical clinics, schools, housing for doctors and teachers, cell, mobile telephone, radio, TV, Wi-Fi and WiMax facilities that are constantly powered by solar power. The technology is being tested in USA as we speak and will soon be tested on the West Coast of Africa. Cote d’Ivoire will be where it will make its debut and let us hope that it continues to spread across Africa from that isolate point.

Via:� Gizmag

This may be called optimum utilization of resources or a measure towards being biodegradable. If you have ever pondered over the amount of food waste that becomes a food for the dustbin, this one is sure to put a smile on your face. The innovative Hybrid Gas Range created by award-winning Korean designer Seokmoon Woo, is an amazing concept, utilizing food garbage as an alternate fuel for the gas range. This concept helps reduce food garbage in households while meeting a chunk of their energy needs as well by allowing them to switch between the collected methane and regular gas at the press of a button.
If we change food garbage at home into methane energy, we can cook with methane instead of gas all the time. Considering that the dwindling natural gas resources have raised an alarm worldwide this device is sure to be a boom for the consumer.

The concept allows users to put away their food garbage in a classifier in the center which ferments and creates methane that is used as fuel for the gas range. The resulting waste is dehydrated by the machine and collected in a tank at the bottom that can be disposed off later. Though still a concept, this one is sure to have buyers in the market the day it is launched.

Via designist.kr

Wind energy has been considered traditionally as both cumbersome and ungainly with the way in which it needs to be tapped into. Giant windmills and large wind turbines are deemed unfit for modern cities as they are a both a physical obstruction and not profitable enough as an investment. But modern designers have amalgamated design with energy savvy methods to create sleek and sexy wind turbines that are blowing away traditional perception of wind energy. Here is a look at the 10 best modern wind turbines that take clean energy forward in a classy and silent fashion.

1. Energy Ball

The perfect wind turbine for the modern world, Energy Ball works on the principle of the Venturi Effect. Making use of the change in fluid pressure at different points to produce motion, it acts a lot more effectively than wind turbines and is a lot more quiet and adept for city life. The wind turbine can be put on your roof or in your backyard, and it will start immediately producing energy. Silent and effective- Energy Ball surely is the charmed prince of the new millennium’s turbine world.

2. Helix Wind Turbine

The design of Helix defies the conventional design of wind turbines. Its curved body and effective new design make it perfect for your modern home even in terms of style and ergonomics. Helix Wind Turbine is an elegant solution for home and small business owners. Powerful enough to supply your needs yet harmonious with the environment, the strength of the wind is captured by our unique and highly efficient vertical blade design. Truly modern!

3. Helical Structure for the Future World

These futuristic helical structures are designed by Asia Alliance Base, and are simple and compact offering a fluid mechanism to capture and generate energy from winds that go waste atop many roofs in cities across the planet. The structure also seems good for desert lands where low land winds also produce sustained and substantial energy. The helical blades of these Space Age Turbines offer both safety and efficiency.

4. Mini- Stylish Wind Turbine Charger

The Mini might not be a giant among the wind turbine domain but surely is a lot more practical than most other designs. This neat mini wind turbine charger is small enough to hold in your hand or attach to a bike. It needs only 9mph of wind to start charging the internal battery, which can then be used to charge many devices, such as mobile phones, digital cameras and iPods. If you are looking for a clean way to charge up your iPhone, then the Mini is here for you.

5. Selsam Super turbines to tame the rough waves!

If you took one look at the Selsam wind turbines and thought that they were some thorny desert plant that has been used to decorate a ship or some radar emitting signals, then it would be hard to fault you. These flexible futuristic wind turbines are shaped in a way to utilize wind power to the fullest on the rough seas. Apart from being flexible, they are completely submersible and hence can withstand even the toughest of storms. Selsam’s design and style makes them an absolute personal favorite for us.

6. Architectural Wind

Architectural wind is a collection of many turbines that form a small modular wind turbine system. The unique system makes wind power a viable option for urban centers, because it doesn’t require a massive tower. The wind turbines are sleek and low profile so they can be perfectly integrated into new or existing buildings. The design is meant to be shown off, rather than hidden away on the roof. Now you can get eco-friendly and do it in a proud, fashion-conscious way!

7. Philippe Starck wind machine

The design offered by Philippe Starck barely looks like a wind turbine, but this wind machine can apparently produce enough energy to power up to 60% of domestic energy needs. While it is priced at $360, if it indeed provides 60 percent of household energy, then you will reclaim you money in a matter of months- Fine design with great utility.

8. Swift

If pace, efficiency and silent power is what you are looking for then Swift might be the end of your search. This is the first quiet rooftop wind turbine that generates electricity by harnessing the power of the wind providing you a cost effective clean energy source. Swift is a pioneer in its field and one could call it the path-breaker for every other model that you see in this special collection.

9. Broadstar AeroCam

This is anything unlike your traditional windmill design and the AeroCam even functions unlike anything else you have known. It operates on principles first established by the French aeronautical engineer Georges Jean Marie Darrieus (1888-1979), who invented a wind turbine capable of operating from any direction and under adverse weather conditions. Its advantage lies in its ability to automatically and interactively adjust the pitch or angle of wind. Unique and efficient, it surely merits a place on the elite list.

10. Windspire

Windspire turbine from Mariah Power has a propeller-free vertical-axis design, and is expected to produce about 1800 kilowatt hours per year in 11 mph average wind conditions. That amount of wind power is roughly 25% of a typical household’s energy. Unlike the other turbines in the list, this one is 30 feet tall but is still fir for residential use. It does away with the traditional design of blades and is simple and easy to install. But at $ 4000, this is not for those who hate to part with their cash.

There are some of the best wind energy options available today and if you happen to live in a pretty gusty place, you can gladly give them a try. That does it for the Talk Ten for now and we will be back with more cool clean stuff very soon!

There are fresh footsteps on the path of eco-fashion. They call themselves Redewin and sell unique classic and reconstructed clothes. Opening just last week, this fashion hub has caught on well with the eco-conscious masses who, look for green yet stylish outfits.
I find the concept of reconstructed clothing very interesting. Redewin takes button-ups, t-shirts, dresses, sweaters, jeans etc and stitch them together to create new fashion trends. So, you can be assured that the article you shop for will be unique.

Check out the� Redewin website to discover some innovations in men’s, women’s and children’s fashion. And hey, you can pick up some recycled furnishings for your eco-house too.
Via treehugger

Wanna Ride?? This one shall prove to be an eco-friendly one with an inveterate entertainment. Yahoo’s newest bike is a complete showstopper. Armed with solar panel, a GPS enabled mobile phone hidden and a script to constantly take pictures at 60 seconds, this bike will be able to map out route that you take (and geotagged it properly) and upload to Flicker account instantly. Beneath the installation on the bikes, there is a Nokia N95 (based on the meta tag found on the pictures), a Solar panels which power the camera phone and Custom Python script installed on the phone which fires off the shutter every 60 seconds while the phone’s accelerometer detects that you’re in motion, and uploads the resulting photo with geotags to the bike’s Flickr account.

Being launched as a part of the company’s new “Start Wearing Purple” marketing campaign, this does have a feminine angle to it but it is well-equipped with valuables to attract men as well. Though initially starting from San Fransico and New York, these bikes would soon be pedaling around the world in countries such as Singapore, Denmark and the U.K.



If this happens to interest you, you can actually download the software to your symbian phone and capture the images yourself.
Via ohgizmo

Classy and efficient is how one can define this one. With startling looks, it is sure to take you on a ride. For travelers, this is an avant-garde vehicle, offering a great speed yet being environment friendly. With masters in industrial design, its designer Robert Nightingale is a much-talked about luminary these days. Drawing upon his experience in sustainable research, creative thinking & design method he has been consistently providing innovative concept. This futuristic concept is designed to take you miles and that too without causing any hazards like non-reversible carbon footprints & global warming which are the gifts of the aviation industry to the environment.

Aptly named, The Environment by its creator, this invention provides the travelers with an environment conducive for work as well as leisure besides zooming at a marvelous speed. Always banking upon the concepts, Robert’s innovations have brought him various applauses and acclamations all across the world.

From the Hitch Concept to Water Shelter Concept to the current transport innovation, his products have always been an affix to the advanced technology. And when they couples with environmental benefits, they surely are adorable.
So now you don’t have to think before to decide your next trip.
Via robertnightingaledesign

Israel celebrated its very own ‘Public Transportation Day’ on September, 23rd. An event that saw a professional conference being organised by the local green groups, plus a 6km drag race in Tel Aviv between different modes of transportation. The race was symbolic because Israel’s transportation has been bogged down by the increasing traffic and air pollution. The promised subways are just being built extremely slowly.
On the other hand, the rail system is witnessing a lot of delays and cost overruns. So, it was time the public decided for itself, which is the best mode of conveyance. The bright Tuesday morning, saw a race between a bus, which only travelled in its designated lane, a bicycle and a car. The three vehicles started out from the outskirts of Tel Aviv going towards the central train station.

The bike won and people saw how it was the best, quickest as well as green way to get to one’s destination. The bus came second while the car took the longest time struggling in the endless traffic.

Via treehugger

The pretty Daryl Hannah has never fails to surprise us with her eco-friendly ideas and innovations. And the best part is that she likes to share them with the world. In a recent interview, she came out and loud about her love for nature and frustrations with the word “green”. She even talked about her eco-make up and steps she would take to make her life more ‘natural’.

One of the steps included, cultivating sunflowers. Daryl looks at them as a fuel crop. She even expressed her desire to grow hemp because then she would be able to grow her fuel for one full year in just an acre. But she cannot do so as growing hemp is ridiculously illegal in the U.S.
Indeed a stupid law, because hemp is a useful crop that serves as food, fuel and even non-petroleum biodegradable plastics.
Via ecorazzi

There is good news for all the Chrysler fans. The famous car brand has decided to present an electric version of its Voyager MPV to the world by 2010. Research is on and eco-lovers even got a peek of its looks at the Detroit Motor Show, yep this new eco-car will be based on the ecoVoyager concept.
Information is limited at the moment. But we do know that this zero-emission car will have range of 300 miles. A neat deal for an MPV that can accommodate the entire family plus the luggage!

As if this wasn’t enough. Chrysler is also working on a model that will be a good reply for rival Chevrolet’s Volt, which will be launched in 2012. A small gasoline engine in the Chrysler model will be busy topping up batteries when they drop below 40% charge.
Via http://enn.com/sci-tech/article/38272