Alternative Building + Energy
One of These 7 Finalists Will Be the First “Smart City” in the U.S.
Posted on June 23, 2016 byLast year, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced its “Smart City Challenge,” a contest that will award one mid-sized city with $50 million in funding to improve its transportation networks. The USDOT hopes the selected city will become a role model for implementing safer, more energy-efficient technology. Out of 78 entries, the USDOT has narrowed… Read More
The “Moved to Act” Climate Leadership Intensive Comes to Dancing Rabbit
Posted on June 7, 2016 byThis August, the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage in Rutledge, MO, will host “Moved to Act,” a climate leadership intensive offered by Aaron Murphy and other instructors. The event takes place from August 12-18, 2016, and is open to a limited number of participants. According to the organizers, “Moved to Act is an immersive training for supporting… Read More
NextGEN Hosts The Youth Ecovillage Summit in Quebec June 9-12
Posted on April 28, 2016 byNextGEN North America has opened registration for the third annual Youth Ecovillage Summit, which will take place in Quebec, Canada from June 9-12, 2016. The event will be hosted at La Cite Ecologique, an ecovillage two hours away from Montreal and Quebec City. According to NextGEN: “Over 30 years ago, La Cité Ecologique began as a… Read More
Portland’s Village Building Convergence Returns June 3-12
Posted on April 21, 2016 byFor 16 years, the City Repair Project has been gathering annually for the Village Building Convergence, a 10-day event focusing on permaculture and placemaking in Portland, OR. Even residents who haven’t heard of the event have experienced its impact: its projects include “intersection repairs” that have created some of Portland’s most colorful and liveliest crossroads;… Read More
Best Friends Build Tiny House Village
Posted on May 26, 2015 byBest Friends Build Tiny House Village Living in the same town was not enough for four couples who have been best friends for 20 years. They decided to double down on their relationship and buy a little bit of land “in the middle of nowhere” on the Llano River in the Hill Country of Texas.… Read More
Nautilus Shaped Wind Turbine
Posted on April 25, 2015 byThe Archimedes is a unique new design in alternative energy. It is a nautilus shaped wind turbine, in that it’s blades are shaped like a Nautilus shell. This design allows it to point directly into the wind to capture the most amount of energy, while remarkably producing very little sound. … Read More
Couple Builds Cabin of Windows for $500
Posted on March 23, 2015 byA Cabin of Windows Wouldn’t it be cool if a house had a wall of windows, so it couldn’t confine the sunset to just one little space? Lilah Horwitz and Nick Olson mused at this while watching a sunset on their first date. Just under 1 year later the two returned to those same… Read More
Beautiful Tiny Home costs couple $22,000
Posted on February 1, 2015 byHow much space do you really need? This brave couple decided to radically change their approach to housing, to create something beautiful, elegant, functional, and affordable. “Andrew and Gabriella Morrison spent decades in the rat race, with their lives revolving around their finances and paying off a huge mortgage. They were sick of this lifestyle,… Read More
Solar Power in The U.S.
Posted on August 20, 2013 byThe energy that falls on the U.S. in one hour of noon summer sun is almost equal to total annual U.S. electricity demand: http://huff.to/148bu39
Go Solar with FIC
Posted on July 18, 2013 bySungevity is a social value “B-Corp” that makes it affordable for all homeowners to use solar power. It has stopped over 200,000 metric tons of carbon from entering the atmosphere, and has raised over $1.1 million for non profit organizations! Sungevity donates $750 to the Foundation for Intentional Community for each home, community, or business… Read More
Mora County Bans Oil and Gas Extraction
Posted on May 4, 2013 byMonday the County Commission of Mora County, located in northeastern New Mexico, became the first county in the U.S. to pass an ordinance banning all oil and gas extraction. Drafted with assistance from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), the Mora County Community Water Rights and Local Self-Government Ordinance establishes a local Bill of Rights—including a… Read More
“Hoop House” Glides Open & Closed
Posted on April 14, 2013 byVern Harris likes setting up hoop houses over his vegetable beds, but he doesn’t like the hassle of working under them. Most designs require lifting the plastic sides to get at the produce. So, Harris came up with hoops that glide on rails, making access as easy as pulling on two ropes. “Anybody who is even… Read More
Within Reach Screenings
Posted on April 11, 2013 byFollow Amanda’s incredible bicycle trip around the US to explore ways people are creating community and sustainability. Find a screening near you, or order a screening kit to inspire people where you live! http://test.withinreachmovie.com/seethefilm.php
