A new way to grow food…
The folks at Omega Garden have created a few different machines that are going to change the way we think about a greenhouse. Rotating cylinders with a light in the center and plants growing all along the inner side, watered automatically all day long by a controlled gravity drip. Omega has created models for home/small business and another model for high scale greenhouse operations. With the commercial sized one you can get 6,600 sq ft of growing space while only using 100 sq ft of floor space.
Currently, the worlds population growth is far outstripping our ability to produce food. Already there are about a billion people in the world that do not always have enough to eat. Whats worse is that our government has not caught on with the times and still subsidizes poor factory farming practices that destroy the land, and use far more water while polluting everything around it with pesticides and animal by products. With the Omega garden and other smarter hydroponic methods of growing food, water use is reduced up to 99% because the water is not lost into the ground and can be recycled. Furthermore, the machinery is enclosed indoors so the water loss from natural plant transpiration and evaporation are eliminated along with the bugs and the need for pesticides.
The Omega garden goes even further in the conservation than other hydroponic methods as they conserve light energy through the cylindrical design. Normally, a light would have to be above the plants, and have a reflector above it so that the light moving upwards away from the light would not be lost. With the cylindrical design, the light is in the center and the plants are growing all around it, giving it 360 degrees of effectiveness. Using this design, you can get a pound of basil for .38KWh (about 3-5x the yield of standard methods).
With water and farmable land becoming scarcer and our population growing, its ideas like this that are going to keep us from starving……See more at Ecofriend
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Worlds Largest Offshore Windfarm
Denmark has just christened their newest environmental feat. A massive 209 MW offshore windfarm 30 km off the coast of Jutland (in the North Sea). Constructed by DONG energy, tis 91 turbine farm will power over 200,000 homes with clean renewable energy harnessed from the strong sea winds. Horns Rev 2 has claimed the title of the Worlds Largest Offshore Windfarm. Furthermore, this wind farm has its own 24 hour maintenance crew that live on a sea platform they have dubbed the “Poseidon”. This success of Denmark should hopefully get the UK moving, as their offshore windfarm has hit nothing but delays since its proposal. Now the question is, how long will they hold this title?
Filed Under: Eco Ideas, Green Energy, Wind Power | Tagged:
Green Sprouts Organic Baby Fest Sept. 26
Calling all parents (and parents-to-be)! Get informed and entertained at Green Sprouts Baby Fest, set for Saturday, September 26 at Peninsula Park. This gathering features over 90 non-profits and green businesses vetted by the ubiquitous Re-Direct Guide. Find a pre-natal yoga instructor, a midwife, and a daycare co-op in one fell swoop. Get the scoop on non-toxic nurseries, organic clothing, safe toys, and more. In addition to exhibitors, Green Sprouts also offers a variety of seminars and interactive events for the whole family, including sing-a-longs, a kids clothes/books/toys swap, and even a baby sling fashion show! Follow Green Sprouts on Twitter for the latest.
Attendees are encouraged to take public transit as the MAX Yellow Line drops you off just blocks away at North Rosa Parks Way. Organizers aim for the event to be zero-waste, so leave the organic handi-snacks at home, folks.
$3 suggested donation to benefit Sustainable Oregon Schools Initiative.
Location: Peninsula Park
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Filed Under: Eco Ideas, Education, Green Home, Portland, Sustainable | Tagged:
Lents Linear Garden
Prepping for the street fair on September 12 and the opening of the MAX green line, the Lents neighborhood in Portland has been busy changing their strip of grass along the road (the “parking strip”) into a long, beautiful linear garden that may go as long as 30-45 blocks in time. The garden is going to be cut up into planned sections each representing a different collection of northwest native plants that should thrive. The up and coming Lents neighborhood has already gained a lot of community attention and involvement from those that would love to see their neighborhood reduce its litter and increase the value and livability through a unique botanical garden. The idea is not only eco friendly, but has the full support of the neighborhood association and has thrilled the city council. Though not complete, take a look at the progress they have made when you check out the September 12 Lents street fair. See more pictures and information at Neighborhood Notes.
Green Horizon emergency housing pre-fab
This is one of the most amazing ideas to come along in a while. These 100% recycled material prefab homes are specifically meant for FEMA and disaster relief housing. Each home is LEED platinum certified as well as modular, and can fit into a single standard shipping container for easy shipping and assembly. The home slides open to become large enough for a family of four, as well as self sustainable for weeks with its own drinking water and recycled grey water management. Each of these homes can connect easily up to others of its kind to make quick mini communities with several homes around each other. They also have prefabricated medical units and a few other emergency management aid. I for one hope that this company makes it in a big way, this would have saved countless people and dollars after hurricane Katrina. See more at Jetson Green
Filed Under: Eco Ideas, Green Home, LEED | Tagged:
The Muddy Boot Festival 2009: A Soulful Celebration of Sustainable Living
Holy cow, the Muddy Boot Festival is almost here! Now in its fourth year, this lively, three-day outdoor festival celebrates all manners of sustainable living in Portland, so get your tickets now and show your support for making our town greener and cleaner than ever before.
Highly recommended is Friday’s keynote address by environmental activist and prolific author Bill McKibben, whose work deals with how local communities can come together to combat global climate change. McKibben wants everyone to know about “the most important number in the world,” 350. As in 350 parts per million, the safe upper limit ofCO2 in the atmosphere as identified by scientists (see 350.org). The talk begins 7 pm on Friday, September 11. Tickets are $20/general and $15/students in advance; $25 at the door.
Muddy Boot continues through the weekend. Get fed on organic food and drink in the marketplace. Get informed via workshops and panel discussions with local sustainability advocates (the list of speakers reads like a who’s who of pdx green experts). Get down to live music by awesome local bands. Kids entertainment, too. Puppets! Recycled arts and crafts! Did I mention March Fourth Marching Band will be there Saturday night? Sounds like some good, wholesome fun for all.
Location: St. Philip Neri Church, 2408 SE 16th Avenue
Click here for the full schedule.
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