Archive for the ‘Eco Innovations’ Category

Eco-friendly Homes in the Caribbean ? 5 Environmentally Safe Development Practices

November 27, 2010 - 1:44 pm No Comments

Sustainable, luxury beachfront living is no longer just a dream – new Caribbean properties like Oceano Village combine environmentally-friendly development with exotic locations and the latest eco innovations for sustainable living at its finest. From careful planning of land usage to future sustainability, these luxury Caribbean properties bring an entirely new perspective to green living.

Net-Zero Construction

Several years of preparation take place before construction begins on a sustainable luxury village. Extensive planning is involved in the land development, the architecture, the building process, the furnishings and appliances, and even the future environmental impact of the village. To achieve a net-zero impact, everything possible is done to ensure these luxury ocean side villas give back at least as much as they detract from the planet.

Low-Impact Architectural Designs. The cool breezes and pleasant year-round temperatures of the Caribbean naturally decrease energy use, but strategic positioning and innovative designs create truly eco-friendly homes without sacrificing luxurious oceanfront living. Oceano Village was the first Caribbean community to use cross ventilation and renewable energy sources like wind and solar power to minimize the environmental impact of fine living.

Renewable, Natural Building Materials. The innovative use of renewable materials, including durable limestone and sustainable hardwoods, are another way these luxury Caribbean properties lower the impact fine beachfront living can have on the environment. Both the interior and exterior are designed to showcase elegance without harming the environment, featuring gorgeous Honduran pine finishes, unique bamboo furniture, and other local renewable resources.

Sustainable Landscaping and Smart Water Use. From the fixtures within the villas to the expansive living areas outside the home, eco-friendly Caribbean communities promote water conservation and sustainability without detracting from the comforts of fine living. Low-flow bath fixtures drastically decrease water consumption inside the home while carefully planned landscape designs aid in replenishing the local water supply.

Waste-Free Luxury Living. Garbage is the source of a great deal of environmental damage. Sustainable development strives to eliminate waste through extensive recycling programs and natural composting efforts. The reuse of waste materials as an organic fertilizer encourages healthy, nutrient-rich soil without the use of harmful chemicals.

No Carbon, Low Emission Community. Wind and solar power enable homes to generate clean energy, eliminating typical carbon emissions from building structures. Gasses emitted from transportation are controlled in an eco-friendly development as well by encouraging alternate means. A network of bike trails and foot paths, neighbourhood electric buggies, and a convenient airport shuttle minimize the use of automobiles in Oceano Village.

From the perfect retirement spot to an elegant second home in the Caribbean, environmentally-friendly, oceanfront living is a dream come true on the lush island of Roatán. Extensive planning and careful construction, along with fine amenities and exquisite structures, are the foundation of sustainable luxury Caribbean properties like Oceano Village and showcase the many possibilities for eco-safe development.

Eco Innovations

October 6, 2010 - 11:39 pm No Comments

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“Wind power holds enormous potential to help reach our nation’s clean energy goals,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu in a statement.Petroleum is believed to have developed from kerogen, which is simply converted to an oily substance under the influences of temperature and pressure.

 

Hemp is the most beneficial crop on the earth, providing the basic needs of clothing, shelter, food and medicine. One of the most important parts of this plant is its fiber, commonly called ‘bast’ (a plant that grows on a stalk). As the principal plant fiber, hemp has been used for thousands of years.

 

There is great joy and health in living green. Furthermore, each of us has the responsibility to live green and preserve this planet for generations to come. The Renewables Academy’s aim to train and educate governmental ministers, lawyers, engineers, and private investors across the world in the economic, legal,

 

The catch is that the site has to be built and producing energy by March 2012 to be viable, so with planning timescales this means you have just one chance with one company to generate this income. George Monbiot’s recent guardian article got me thinking about the nature of research and development in the photovoltaic industry and how R&D has been impacted by feed-in tariffs in Europe.

 

Glass and plastic component manufacturer, Romag who specialize in the production of units to be used in photovoltaic technology have developed a product designed to recharge electric vehicles in public spaces using solar panels.

 

The whole idea of this feed-in-tariff business is that you earn money by selling units of energy produced by your solar panels. However, with wind representing a mere 0.5% of Britain’s energy generation, the future for wind and other important renewable energy means will come in the form of households producing their own electricity with small scale micro-generation kits, installed on their property.

 

Don’t you feel delighted when soothing raindrops of the season’s first shower fall upon you? Don’t you feel happy when the sunlight warms your skin? If yes, then you must also feel blessed and grateful towards Mother Nature; and in my opinion, now it’s the time to give back.

 

Farmers and other well owners in general live with a misconception that adding a whole house water system to their well water source would be pointless and a waste of money.Krug’s waterless urinals found their biggest critics in plumbers, who presented many arguments against the invention.

 

The concept of a waterless urinal was the brainchild of German engineer Ditmar Gorges, who believed that a sterile liquid such as urine needed no flushing – it would find its way down the drain anyway. He was confident that his invention would be instrumental in saving thousand of gallons of water each year.

 

After an unusual four straight quarters of negative growth in the severe 2008-2009 recession, the recession ended in the September quarter of last year when GDP managed fragile growth of 1.6% for the quarter, and then improved to 5.0% growth in the December quarter.