Glacier2050

Power of... food

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:55:54 +0100

Amazing how one chef with a vision is reaching into people's lives around the world and actively working for change! Hats off to Jamie for his TED prize. Watch his acceptance speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIwrV5e6fMY

Super computers for super energy

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:59:08 +0100

A simple yet frightening equation to get us back on track. Problem is one of the digits in the equation needs to go down to zero. I learned a lot from this inspiring TED talk including a new vocab word "terrapower". http://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gates.html

A new year, a new adventure

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:55:08 +0100

In 2008 I blogged about Louis Palmer's Solartaxi as he neared the end of his around-the-world solar expedition. This year I was fortunate to be able to invite Louis to speak with my work colleagues and inspire us with his drive for results. He also shared his plans for his next adventure: the zero-emission race. Starting in June, teams of vehicles powered by alternative energy will race for 80 days around the world, raising awareness for alternative energy vehicles along the way. Find out more here: http://www.zero-race.com/. Late last year Louis spoke at a Geneva TED event -- a lecture worth watching especially if you missed out on his solar adventure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24K5-2Zc14k

Meteora: The Unchained Goddess

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:32:04 +0100

Back in 1958 Frank Capra made an educational movie for Bell Labs... Why is it that most of us have seen his other legendary movies but never heard of this one?!

The Coolest Living Roof

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:09:16 +0100

Just back from California and highly recommend a visit to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate park. The museum has been completely rebuild to incredibly high green standards. The most spectacular element is its living roof. Not only is it visually sensational but it serves all sorts of purposes including hosting thousands of plant and insect life, cools air, etc. Read more about it: http://www.calacademy.org/

A road to somewhere...

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:55:52 +0200

Researchers yesterday announced a method for creating energy from heat stored in asphalt. Now if cars could avoid running on wasteful resources, driving might not be such a bad thing! Here's the story: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10019386-54.html?hhTest=1

Swiss ALU bottles selling up a storm in the U.S.

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:12:02 +0200

The Swiss company SIGG, manufacturer of sturdy aluminum reusable bottles with an array of designs has doubled its production in the past year, selling over half to the U.S. Let's hope adoption of these and other reusable bottles will make a dent in the amount of plastic bottles trashed each year! Find out more: www.sigg.ch

Whales in the Mediterranean!

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:46:21 +0200

The following videos show members of Swiss conservation group OceanCare as they come upon some rare treats: Part 1 - http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/multimedia/video/detail.html?siteSect=15045&sid=9494663; Part 2 - http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/multimedia/video/detail.html?siteSect=15045&sid=9571385

Life above 1000m

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:47:54 +0200

Visit an intriguing view of the mountains through the eyes of eight photographers and set within the context of the delightful village of Rossinière in the Pays d'Enhaut. The exhibit is open Wednesday through Sunday 10h30-17h until September 14. Further info: www.plus1000.ch. While there, don't leave without checking out the Grand Chalet, one of the oldest and largest chalets in Switzerland and home to the Balthus Foundation.

To ski or not to ski?

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 12:41:55 +0200

Another winter and another conumdrum for skiing enthusiasts who happen to be eco-conscious. The Guardian today lays out two sides of the debate: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/blog/2008/sep/28/skiing.eco. I'd like to hear from you about your thoughts... so post a comment! Given the title of this project you can probably guess my stance. An avid skier in my youth and racer for my university, I now avoid the slopes except when teaching my kids to ski. Hmmm, sounds a little hypocritical? Believe me, I've got sufficient guilt on that one. But here in Switzerland, we train it to the slopes, buy used equipment, and often climb up hills to enjoy the ungroomed and precarious slide down. What I keep wondering is whether there are progressive projects out there either to alter the sport itself or create a less impactful means of enjoying lower-level resorts. Know of any? Add a comment to this story...