Though Mercedes-Benz is synonymous to luxury, it runs out of sync in the eco-friendly world. But now the company is trying to bridge this gap as they plan to unveil a line of eco-friendly hybrid vehicles at the forthcoming Detroit Auto Show. They are all set to build up their green reputation with triplets green concept babies. Focusing on emission reduction, all three differ from each other by marginal variations. The first of the lot, the BlueZero E-Cell concept, is a compact four-door hatch which gets its power from lithium-ion batteries. This green energy enables E-Cell to zoom off for 62 miles on a two-hour charge.
Down Under, golf champions are brushing their skills for the Australia’s first Carbon Neutral Golf Championship. It is now official as the PGA of Australia has declared that the 2008 Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship was to be totally CARBON NEUTRAL event. With the vast acres of greens to be immaculately maintained, the game of golfing doesn’t carry a green tag. Hence this eco-friendly move is supposed to be a perfect shot in the green world. Touted to be the first major golf championship to be taking this step, PGA will work in conjunction with two companies to ascertain and tidy up the championship’s carbon footprints.
This year end, Times Square will bring in 2009 with a green style as all the energy used to power up the New Year’s Eve lights will be free of grid connections. Liza Minnelli, the wheelchair-bound showbiz veteran set the wheels rolling as she pedaled on a snowmobike to demonstrate the eco-friendly arrangement. In fact any body can walk in to hop on these bikes and contribute their bit to the energy required to light up the Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Since this celebration on New York’s Square is watched by folks all over the world, it will not only greet people with New Year’s wishes but also demonstrate our potential to live and celebrate in green style!
At the ongoing Ecoproducts-2008, Sony has stirred interest amongst the visitors with its latest Hana-Akari prototype lighting fixture. Based on the innovative dye-sensitized solar cells, this lamp can light up dark times akin to photosynthesis technique. Unlike the current silicon solar cells, Sony’s dye-sensitized solar cells are more energy efficient and economical too. Easy to manufacture, such a modified and affordable version of solar cells will give a new life to the solar powered gadgets.
Japan comes under green limelight again for the most eco-friendly skating rink. An ideal green alternative for the ice-skating rinks, this 300 square meter rink is stretched out of resin. Since it is made out of putting 80 pieces of plastic together, some people may question its eco-credentials. However, it does manage to score over such doubts with the fact that there is no usage of water to make. Secondly it eliminated the need of the energy consumed to cool the place to keep the ice solidified. Though it won’t render icy speed as well sensation, it will certainly gain popularity as a green skating rink in the land of rising sun.
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Following closely in footsteps of Tokyo’s human powered electric board, here is one more example of how humans can be free of the grid if they intend to. You will follow what I am trying to put across as you read about the world’s first energy-generating revolving door. Located at Natuurcafe La Port in the Netherland, this kind of door revolves around people to give out power to light up all the LEDs in the ceiling. Built by Boon Edam, the fundamental application is simple as it harnesses kinetic energy out of all those folks who pass through it. Estimated to generate about 4600 kWh each year, it is part of a larger sustainable refurbishment of the railway station.
Well-designed Motorhomes and RVs are the vehicles for deep pocketed nomads. Today we have one for those who also sport a green thumb. Since most of these vehicles are fuel-guzzling beasts, they leave enormous carbon footprints behind. But 2009 Winnebago Adventurer Hybrid dares to tread the green route. Touted to be the world’s first Class A hybrid RV, Winnebago Industries debuted their full-featured green motor home at the 46th Annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville. Though still a concept, I’m sure that demands from folks with a green heart and wallets filled with greens bills will soon push this vehicle to production stage.
Human powered energy isn’t new as we have seen discos and gyms being powered by the energy exuded by people dancing or working out at such places. The latest to be hit by this green trend is Tokyo’s Shibuya station. Commuters traveling via this station walk over the thin mat that is placed at the ticket gates. This 90-square-centimeter 2.5-centimeter thick or thin piezoelectric mat generates energy as people step all over it. This in turn is used to power an electronic LED board which continuously displays updates of the amount of power generated. Also a small holiday light feeds on this energy to add a bit of green color to the whole setup.
And its not only Pope and nuns who are thinking green. By 2010, the new All Nations Church will also boast of being the most eco-friendly energy efficient church in Canada. This green church will not only be a place to worship God, but also show love and respect for our environment. Located off of St. Raphael Street in Minnow Lake, it will rise up for a cost of $5 million. Sporting a monolithic dome connected by a foyer and baptistery, the auditorium can hold 800 seats. it is the monolithic dome that will help to energy consumption as such a dome is the most energy efficient structure known. The building will use than half the energy normally required to heat the space. Also the solar paneled wall on the south side will generate most of the electricity and heat needed. Even the parking lot is intended to light up via solar power lights. Water will also be conserved by harvesting it off the roof.
In an effort to keep my den clean, I didn’t realize that I am contributing to the already polluted environment. It is time to chuck the power consuming dirt-sucking mammoth with Electrolux’s green vacuum cleaner. Dubbed, the AirMAX Öko, it is supposed to be the world’s first green vacuum cleaner. This ultra silent cleaner packs a 1.25 kW motor that helps to consume 33% less energy than ordinary 2 kW vacuum cleaners. More green points come from the fact that about 55% of its parts are made from recycled materials. This means that it has already reduced the burden on the landfills before setting off to clean your home. For $275, it certainly is easy on pockets too.
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