In this economic crisis, one always wonders if one is in the right job. Well, being eco-friendly can be very benefitting even monetarily do. Forbes recently came up with a list of environmental jobs with salaries easily over $100,000.

The top 10 job include:

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Wind energy is one among the abundantly used renewable sources of power by man. Many wind mills have been set up throughout the world to tend to the power demand. The turbines of these wind mills exposed to all the odds of nature are at a risk of wearing out after using them for a couple of years. 3M, the well-known tape manufacturer has come forwards with Wind Tape in 2007. Read the full story »

The most under-estimated resource issue facing the world today is water shortage. Being the most essential element of nature after air for supporting life on earth, we can’t afford to let this precious entity perish. Element Four found a solution for the water woes faced by the people. The Watermill is a small, pretty water filter and purifier, which sucks humid air from atmosphere and converts it into pure potable water.

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All of us surely enjoyed playing with doll houses when we were kids, especially the girl gang. These little cardboard replicas were our sweet homes where we did every thing from washing to cooking. The thought of living in such houses brings back those memories. This is what the Australian architecture firm Stutchbury and Pape designed. Priced at an affordable $35,000, these prefab homes are made out of cardboard and are 100% recyclable.

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If you were wondering how one could stay warm and cozy right on top of an ice-capped mountain, you must seek the advice of the Department of Architecture at the Swiss Federal Technical University. They have constructed the autonomous alpine shelter at a height of 2,810 meters above sea level. Many students and researchers have already started to use the facility and have spoken of its convenience and safety. They surely were awed, too, by its majestic perch on a snowy peak.

Situated right at the tip of a glacier, it is as remote and far away from any energy source as it could get. However, an innovative mind can take one a long way on the journey towards energy self-sufficiency. The building could be used by mountaineers as a base camp before making an ascent on the Alps.

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You always want to give the best to your children. Perhaps, that is why even the most thoughtless of people become conscious about eco-friendly baby products when they have a young one! The same situation was confronted by Shital Mehta when she gave birth to her son Krishna.

From the very start, Shital was very keen to use only the most natural products for her bonny boy; but was disappointed when she couldn’t even find baby bottles made of BPA-free plastic in the market. So as a desperate measure, she got in touch with a distributor of the bottles and placed an order for a case to share with friends who too were tired of looking for the elusive bottles. Even other chemical free infant items were hard to find.
So, the enterprising mom came up with a website called ‘Generation Orange’ which provides one-stop shopping for exciting baby products. Everything from clothes to toys to foods can be found here. Plus they are assuredly made from the most natural materials available.

By the way, 90 per cent of the companies selling products through this site are giving a portion of their earnings to charity.
Via ecofabulous

And we thought lead in lipsticks was history. But a recent estimation revealed horrific findings. Apparently, an average woman consumes a kilo of lipstick every year, a part of which is the deadly metal lead. Yes, even brands like L’Oreal, Cover Girl and Christian Dior can’t be exonerated from this slow but dangerous health crime. Medical experts are concerned because lead does not have a tendency to get detoxified in fact it is readily stored in the body. So one can imagine the storage of disaster that the fashion woman harbours inside her! The toxic metal is associated with problems of behavioural disorder and miscarriages.
Those who thought they could detect lead by applying lipstick to gold, I’m afraid to say it’s not a safe method. In fact, lead is not even listed as an ingredient on lipstick labels. However, a look at SafeCosmetics.org will equip you will helpful and healthy information.
Via ecobites

Real Sharpness knives shock hell out of me. Sharpen knives is attractive greatly out of question. I am no Chao San Poi. Actually this is a fully-enclosed knife sharpener seem to be key to exact cuts for persons who simply similar to be near blunt side of blade.

Real Sharpness Comes without Effort is a Sharpness knives and designer, Adam Clark: “Eliminate skill and protection concern nearby customary knife sharpening apparatus. The descending sharpen mechanism broaden that the products capability to function with in a chiefly dull knives. The device is with this within case and mechanically adjusts to match curve of a variety of blades.”

Take sharpener, place blade indoors, click shut, sharpen, and click open, ended! The Sharpness knives sharpener that is clicks separately for simply clean-up. It fits of laughter most knives. I can slice my enemy* in half with ease! *My enemy is Peanut Butter + Jelly Sandwich, whom I then consume!

Just according to Adam Clark, Real Sharpness knives sharpener will be easy to get to for get early on 2009 during design’s supporter, Salter Housewares. Our individual Nogales Clip tip blades are perfect for shearing during thick, fibrous materials just like manila rope, cable, hose, and belts.

It is wonderful when two good causes come together to make the world a much better place. It seems that the designing innovators of the world are coming together annually to create both better products and to make sure they raise money for charity by selling these unique pieces of work. The Botanist Blank Canvas project is the brainchild of Dario Antonioni and Brandon Lynne and aims at exactly that. notable designers such Yves Behar, Margo Chase, Milton Glaser, Kahi Lee, Karim Rashid, Joe Ricchio, Claude Zwelleger and Massimo and Lella Vignelli work together to produce amazing designs that are used to raise funds for the charity that they wish to donate the money to.

The benches and aluminum table collection from this year?s Botanist stint are a true delight to take a look at. They are constructed from a single sheet of aluminum, with an eye toward minimizing waste. The manufacturer uses recycled and recyclable aluminum to produce their super thin, yet surprisingly strong, modern and eco-friendly furniture. Wooden veneers that cover them are harvested from a sustainable forest and even the paint used is toxic free.

The amazing collection can be both inside the home and even for outside use. The collection not only promotes eco-friendly furniture, but it also makes sure that the money raised by these custom crafted pieces goes to those who need it the most.

Via: Trendir

If you want your young kid to pick up the habit of recycling early or if you intend to add a touch of classy musical feel to your trash bin, then this is perfect for you. It is not very often that one gets to see a concept that looks good, sounds good and also does well for the planet. The Xylophone Bin is one such rare concept which we would like to have ourselves and enjoy some beautiful notes every time we put the waste back where it belongs.

“Xylophone Bin” is an amazing creation by Dominic Wilcox designed for Danish Company Vipp?s charity auction event held in New York. The bin has crafted wooden stairs around it that go from longer to shorter. When you open the lid, a metal ball is released on to the steps and goes bouncing down the steps to create a symphony of sound. It goes from the high note to the low note and probably this will encourage your young one (and even you) to put trash where it belongs more often. This truly is one eco gadget that is a delight to the senses.

Via: Dominicwilcox / Designboom