EARTH DAY 2009: THE GREEN GENERATION

Earth Day 2009, April 22, will mark the beginning of the Green Generation Campaign! This two-year initiative will culminate with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. With negotiations for a new global climate agreement coming up in December, Earth Day 2009 must be a day of action and civic participation, to defend the Green Generation’s core principles:
A carbon-free future based on renewable energy that will end our common dependency on fossil fuels, including coal.
An individual’s commitment to responsible, sustainable consumption.
Creation of a new green economy that lifts people out of poverty by creating millions of quality green jobs and transforms the global education system into a green one.
Under the umbrella of the Green Generation, thousands of events are currently being planned in schools, communities, villages, towns and cities around the world.

Earth Hour 2009 Round Up....

Landmarks around the world plunged into darkness in a global push to act on climate change.

Lights were turned off at 8.30pm local time to mark Earth Hour, organised by the WWF. To start the annual event, diesel generators were switched off on the Chatham Islands, a small archipelago off the east coast of New Zealand.

Lights then went out at Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Asia followed with lights at landmarks in China, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines dimming as people celebrated with candle-lit picnics and concerts.

Other iconic landmarks falling into darkness this year include the Eiffel Tower, Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Table Mountain in Cape Town, CN Tower in Toronto and the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas.

Among the landmarks taking part in Britain are Nelson's Column, the Forth Bridge, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and the London Eye. The public is also being urged to get involved in their own homes.

"We are sitting here near the harbour. There are about 60 or 70 people here having a picnic," an Earth Hour spokesman said in Sydney. The organisers suggested people in Britain took part with picnics, acoustic gigs and pub quizzes in the dark.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when more than two million homes and businesses switched off their lights for an hour. A year later, 50 million people switched off their lights, with the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome's Colosseum and the huge billboard in Times Square, New York, all standing in darkness.

Switch off video;
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20090329/video/vwl-90-countries-take-part-in-earth-hour-d7f4ae7.html

8:30pm - 9:30pm

Switching off....

Greening your transportation choice....

1. Before getting in your car, consider whether you could reach your destination by another means. Walking regularly can reduce your risk of heart problems and other illnesses, as well as making you fitter!

2. Identify your most common destinations, and investigate whether you could get there by bus, train, bike, or walking. A recent study found that on average, people overestimate the time that journeys by public transport will take by more than 80% and underestimate the time that car journeys will take by 18%2. Is it really quicker to drive?

3. Travel to work or school by public transport, walking, or cycling once a week. You might find that you enjoy it.

When driving, you can still take simple steps to being more mindful....

1. When driving, get rid of any surplice weight, such as roof bars or bike racks.

2. Use air conditioning carefully, as this increases fuel consumption by 15%.

3. Change into a higher gear as soon as possible.

4. Accelerate and brake as slowly and smoothly as possible.

5. Drive at slower speeds - driving at 100 kmph uses 30% more fuel than driving at 40-55 kmph.

6. Have your car serviced regularly - an incorrectly adjusted carburettor can waste up to 25% of fuel. Incorrect tyre pressure can increase fuel consumption too.

7. Switch off your engine at short stops (more than one minute).

'Kids' Shampoo Contains Dangerous Chemicals'

Popular children's bath products contain cancer-causing chemicals, according to research carried out in the United States.

An independent laboratory tested a range of top-selling brands and found many of them contained formaldehyde, which is used to embalm corpses. Out of the 28 products tested for formaldehyde in the study, 23 contained it. Studies have linked the substance to cancers of the brain, nasal sinuses and possibly leukaemia. Others had traces of 1,4-dioxane, a foaming agent which is also believed to be a cancer risk for humans. Of the 48 items tested for 1,4-dioxane, 67% contained it.

It is banned in Europe, and formaldehyde is restricted. However, the chemicals are apparently unregulated in the US. Both substances were apparently found in Johnson's Baby Shampoo,

L'Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 shampoo and Pampers Kandoo foaming soap. Stacy Malkan from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, who commissioned the tests, said: "If chemicals are causing cancer in animals, we really shouldn't be putting them on babies' heads."However the Personal Care Products Council accused the group of preying on parents' fears and described the results as "patently false".

Global landmarks join the big switch off....

A collection of famous landmarks will be switching their ligths off this Saturday at 8.30pm;

The Coca-Cola digital billboard in Times Square, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Las Vegas Strip including major casinos the Luxor, Cesar's Palace and The Stratosphere will all turn the lights off on March 28. Santa Monica Pier, including the Ferris wheel will go dark in L.A. as will the Capitol Records Building and Pinks Hot Dog stand. The Sears Tower and the entire Chicago skyline have pledged to go dark. Internationally, the Eiffel tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in France will turn off the lights, the Sydney Opera House, the London Eye, Niagara Falls, Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights and Stockholm Castle will all be dark as well.

Finally, the acolade for the world’s oldest landmark to turn off the lights for Earth Hour? The Acropolis, a symbol of western civilization, will join the global movement against climate change. Switch off and join too....

Top Green Celeb role models; Number #001

Number #001 - Brad Pitt

Brad, is our first green celeb role model in our new series...

Though the actor has been going green ever since 2004, purchasing hybrid cars and calling for energy independence, he has made the biggest green mark on the world of green building and sustainable design through his support for the rebuilding projects in New Orleans. He has teamed up with Global Green USA for a sustainable design competition and a handful of other projects totaling millions of dollars and countless hours spent on making the Big Easy a greener city from the ground up. Pitt has also found time to host a public broadcasting series on green design, help design a green hotel in Dubai and purchase an eco-friendly winery with wife Angelina Jolie.

To emulate Brad at home:

Engage in some green home improvement and efficiency upgrades to make your home as green as his designs and projects around the globe.

Big switch off this Saturday!!

If you are planning a nice romantic dinner date come this Saturday, 28th of March, do make an 8.30pm reservation for a candle-lit dinner. As part of Earth Hour Singapore 2009, an impressive number of establishments (See here for full list - We're at number 49 :)), from businesses, hotels, shopping centres and buildings, have pledged to switch off part or all of their lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

Green Cleaners are fully behind this campaign in the fight against climate change. Here's a few places you may wish to go to enjoy this amazing visual spectacle as part of a wonderful dining experience.
1. Take a trip down to the Singapore Flyer and partake in great Italian food at Senso Bistro. Expect great discounts, and at the same time witness some 400 volunteers light candles to form the phrase “We Vote Earth!” on the Forumula 1 Track just adjacent to the Singapore Flyer.
2. How about taking part in “The Longest Candlelight Dinner” at One-Ninety? At only $48++ per person, enjoy a 5-course meal prepared by Chef Bruno Correa.
3. Take a trip to the Dempsey Area, drop by Jones the Grocer, and pack yourself a nice picnic basket of cheeses and cold cuts. From there, take a nice, leisurely stroll down to the Singapore Botanic Gardens and enjoy a specially organised candlelight picnic and concert.

So do your part, and make your dinner date with Mother Earth today!

"God's own country" to rework State plan....

The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Kerala chapter, has called for revision of the State master plan prepared two decades back.

In view of certain serious land development issues facing the State at present and considering the minimum land available for development, especially in towns and cities, we have no other option but to go for vertical development, says the IIA in a representation to the State’s ministers and the departmental heads concerned.

In the representation, the the IIA Chairman, Mr Jose K. Mathew, points out that it is time the State emulated cities such as New York, Singapore and Tokyo, where the situation is very similar. Like in Kerala, the land for development is scarce and the density of population is high.

The representation was made in the backdrop of the State Government’s move to amend the Kerala building regulations and FAR (floor area ratio) calculations. It is pointed out that unlike its neighbouring States, Kerala is very different.

“Considering the topography of the land, we have to protect and conserve our backwaters, our forestland, our coastlines, our paddy fields, our wetlands and marshy land, which makes Kerala unique and God’s Own Country,” the representation said, adding that the land available for the development after protecting Kerala’s unique features is comparatively low compared to other neighbouring States where there is vast expanse of land for development.

Besides, the density of population in the State is very high.
It is hard to find 100 acres of land in one stretch. Meanwhile the State cannot afford to ignore and abandon the existing road network and its width, and design new roads to match the road widths of the neighbouring States, notwithstanding the fact that there is need to improve the quality and width of the existing roads and, the infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the market demand and the market forces cannot be ignored, says the representation, adding that “if we make a policy decision to develop horizontally, what we need to protect and conserve will be covered by buildings before long, irrespective of whatever rules or regulations or amendments we make.”

In view of these facts, the representation urges the Government to increase FAR in Kerala similar to Singapore and New York, but with adequate infrastructure development, both physical (roads, communication, sewage, drainage, electricity, etc.) and social (schools, hospitals, public facilities, etc). “Otherwise, going vertical will be disaster,” the IIA cautions.

Regarding road widths, the representation suggests additional setbacks, in addition to the mandatory setback of land abutting the streets if the roads do not meet the required width, so that these can be used to widen the existing roads.

Some of the factors that should be considered while making changes in building regulations include the rapid advancement in building technology, scarcity of natural and man-made building materials, spiralling fuel and power supply costs which warrant accommodation in close proximity to workplaces, effective waste management, and eco-friendly, green buildings and towns.

The representation says that it is time the Government constituted an expert committee consisting of town planners, practising architects, sociologists, environmentalists, etc., and brought out a relevant master plan of Kerala, which will be in tune with the times.

Eco friendly ant deterrent tips....

In Singapore, ants can be a problem, but STOP! Before you reach for the toxic pesticide, here's some things you may want to try:

- Pouring lemon juice around areas ants frequent.
- Sprinkle cinnamon or place in cheesecloth bags in affected areas.

- Baking soda can deter ants - pour a solid line in areas of activity and they won't cross it.
- A ring of coffee grounds around sensitive plants can discourage ants.
- A puree blend of orange peel and water can be applied to an area to discourage ants from crossing.
- Ants hate vinegar; so spray it around doorways and other areas they frequent to repel them. A small container of vinegar mixed with honey placed in affected areas appears to do the trick too.
- Pouring boiling water over their tracks (destroys the scent trail)
- Sprinkling a circle of ground cloves around the pet food bowls
- Removing rocks and wood from around the garden
- Planting mint around vegetable patches, flower beds and around the house
- Citrus oil is a good deterrent; it can soaked into a piece of string and place around scent trails.
- Use a piece of chalk to draw a line over trails - again, the ants won't cross it. Chalk also has the advantage of being able to be used on vertical surfaces

If you're the enterprising type, try to work with the ants rather than against them. Make a sugar trail away from the house to a compost pile and put out the intent that they would find a greater feast there!!

Ants invade for a reason - usually for food or water, so be sure to keep food items well secured and clean up after you prepare food. Also check plumbing for leaks, particularly under sinks. Dead insects can attract large numbers of ants, so check window sills and other areas where they may accumulate.

Help with booking that eco holiday :)

Eco-Friendly Tour Operators:

AdventureSmith Explorations: Expedition cruises

Backroads: Biking, hiking and adventure trips around the world

Country Walkers: Walking tours around the world

Dragoman Overland: Overland tours

Earthwatch Institute: Research expeditions worldwide

Elevate Destinations: Travel combined with local philanthropy

Escape Adventures: Biking and multi-sport tours in the North American West

G.A.P. Adventures: Small group adventure tours

International Expeditions: Nature tours to South America, Africa and more

Intrepid Travel: Off-the-beaten-path tours emphasizing responsible travel

Kumuka Worldwide: Environmentally responsible tours around the world

O.A.R.S.: Outdoor adventure tours

Oz Bus: Flight-free travel from London to Sydney

REI Adventures: Carbon-neutral adventure tours

Responsibletravel.com: Eco-friendly tours worldwide

Seacology: Volunteer trips to various conservation project sites

Sierra Club Outings: Outdoor adventure trips

Trusted Adventures: Worldwide adventure vacations

Undiscovered Country Tours: California bike tours

World Wildlife Fund: Adventure and eco-tours around the world

Now there's no excuse not to travel green! :)

Take nothing but photographs, and leave nothing but footprints....

Getting Around

Transportation -- particularly air travel -- is where most travelers have the biggest environmental impact. According to USA Today, a flight from New York to Denver produces as much carbon dioxide per passenger as an SUV produces in a month. To minimize your environmental footprint, try the following steps: Offset the carbon emissions produced by your flight. For shorter trips, take the train instead of flying -- especially in Europe or other regions where train service is fast and frequent. When renting a car, choose the smallest vehicle that can comfortably accommodate you. Decline any "free" upgrades (which will cost you more in gas). Rent a hybrid car.

Taking a long road trip? If your personal vehicle is large and not very fuel-efficient, consider renting an economy car instead. You'll save gas and avoid putting miles on your own vehicle. Whenever possible, use public transportation instead of a taxis or rental cars. Better yet, walk or bike.

Responsible Sightseeing

When it comes to visiting the world's most beautiful places, the old adage rings true: Take nothing but photographs, and leave nothing but footprints. Travel with a tour operator that's environmentally responsible. Before you book, be sure to ask about group size (smaller groups tend to make less of an environmental impact), whether the tours are led by locals, how the tour operator gives back to the community, and what kind of lodging is included. When hiking, always stay on marked trails and maintain a safe distance from any animals you encounter. Deposit your trash in marked receptacles or take it with you when you leave. Light campfires only in established fire rings and be sure they're completely extinguished before you leave. When snorkeling, do not touch the coral or stir up sediment, as these actions can damage the reef's fragile ecosystem. Try to buy local products whenever possible instead of those that have been flown or shipped in from overseas. You'll support the local economy and get a taste of native cuisine. Do not, however, buy souvenirs or other products made from endangered animals or plants -- in most cases you can't get them through Customs anyway. Treat the locals with respect. Learn a few words in the native language, be open to cultural differences, and read up on the area before your trip so you're sensitive to issues of dress and behavior. Consider taking a volunteer vacation to give back directly to the place you're visiting.

Choosing your Green Accomodation....

Choosing a Green Hotel

There are a number of Web sites that list environmentally friendly hotels, B&B's and lodges around the world; these are a good place to start. Keep in mind that each site has its own guidelines for rating properties, so you'll want to do your homework to make sure that the hotel meets the standards you're looking for.

A few questions to ask before booking your hotel: Is the hotel locally owned and operated? If not, is it at least staffed by local employees? What kind of recycling programs does the hotel have (aluminum, plastic, paper, gray water, composting)? Do guests have the option to reuse towels and sheets instead of having them changed every day? What programs does the hotel have to reduce consumption? Examples include energy-efficient lighting, low-flow toilets and showers, and alternative energy sources like solar or wind power. How does the hotel contribute to the local community?

During Your Stay

- Even if you're not spending the night in an ecolodge or green hotel, there are still several easy steps you can take to make your stay more eco-friendly.

- Keep your showers short, and shut off the water while you're brushing your teeth. When you leave the room, turn off the air conditioning, heat, television, lights or any other electric devices. - Reuse your sheets and towels instead of having them changed every day. Many hotels will not replace your towels if you leave them hanging up neatly; if you're not sure, write a note for the housekeeping staff or notify the front desk.

- Bring your own toiletries and drinking cup rather than using the prepackaged ones provided. If you do use the hotel's toiletries, take them with you and use them at home or during the rest of your trip.

- Know your hotel's recycling program and sort your trash accordingly. If your hotel doesn't recycle, consider taking your empty bottles or other items home with you to recycle them there. - Give your hotel feedback.

- Express your appreciation for any eco-friendly programs it currently offers -- or if it doesn't, encourage the management to go green in the future.

All about "Ecotourism"....

Many people hear the terms "green travel" or "ecotourism" and picture someone sleeping in a treehouse in the jungles of Borneo or canoeing down the Amazon. But this type of eco-adventure is just one end of the green travel spectrum. You don't need to sacrifice creature comforts or go off into the middle of nowhere to be a green traveler; you can visit big cities or small villages, and stay in small ecolodges or luxury hotels. All that's required is an effort to preserve and protect the environment of the place you're visiting -- and it's easier than you might think.

What is Green Travel?"Green travel" is one of many catch phrases -- like ecotourism, sustainable tourism and responsible travel -- that are bandied about with increasing frequency these days. But what exactly do these terms mean?

There are various shades of difference among all these terms, but at the heart of the matter is the importance of protecting the natural and cultural environment of the places you visit. That means conserving plants, wildlife and other resources; respecting local cultures and ways of life; and contributing positively to local communities.

Why Go Green? With nearly 1 billion tourists crisscrossing the globe every year, it's more important than ever for travelers to minimize their individual impact on the earth's natural and cultural treasures. The potential negative effects of tourism are both local and global; oceanfront hotels contribute to beach erosion in Hawaii, rising numbers of visitors threaten the fragile ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands, and carbon dioxide emissions from planes are a growing contributor to global warming.

Taking a green approach to travel is an easy and essential way to protect the places you love to visit, not just for yourself but for the travelers who come after you and for the people who will continue to live there long after you've flown home. As an added bonus, it often makes for a more rewarding, authentic travel experience, encouraging deeper connections with the people and places you visit.

Contrary to popular belief, you don't necessarily have to pay more in order to travel green. While offsetting the carbon emissions from your air travel will set you back a negligible amount (usually between $10 and $40 per flight, depending on the length), you can find green lodging options in all budgets, from hostels to luxury hotels. And earth-friendly transportation options like biking, walking and taking public transit are often cheaper than taking a cab or renting a car.

Stay tuned for our ecotourism tips to greener travel....

5 Basic Green Pet Tips * * * * *

- Buy a natural pet food made from pure protein sources raised without growth hormones or antibiotics, and that doesn't contain animal byproducts, rendered meat or chicken meals.
- Use all natural cleaning products free of toxic chemicals.
- Choose eco-friendly pet grooming products made without phosphates, sulfates and other chemicals.
- Pick eco-friendly pet toys made from organic or recycled materials.
- Purchase alternative forms of kitty litter made from recycled material such as newsprint and use biodegradable poopbags for your daily walks.

Earth hour is approaching!

We are 14 days away from the big 'switch off' and the number of organizations and individuals pledging their support for Earth Hour is increasing rapidly.
Globally, we have already exceeded our target of 1000 cities! 1,189 cities and towns across 80 countries are committed, with more coming on board everyday!
In Sydney, where Earth Hour began in 2007, every ferry in the city's harbour will even sound its horn at precisely 8:30pm to herald the beginning of Earth Hour in Australia.
Do your bit by spreading the word!

Easy Tips For Greening Motherhood

· Going green while saving green: Modern green mamas are embracing trends like swap parties and online trading sites to help them save money and consume less.
· The latest in greener toys.Check for the latest green toys on the market that are safe, free from harmful toxins like phthalates and PVC, and are also fun.
· Go green with diapers: Not only are traditional disposables contributing to tons of waste, nearly 18 billion diapers are thrown away in the United States every year, but also they are loaded with nasty chemicals, glues, and dyes. Mama Bite will provide customized solutions for all of the different situations.

Step Three: Get the Family On Board

It's easier to make changes in the household routines if everyone is involved. Talk about why you want to make these changes. Get feedback from the kids on what steps you can take together to make your home healthier and greener. Everyone can pitch in: have the kids help with online research and decisions about new products. Even the littlest ones can help sort the recycling.
Making your home a little greener will not just make you feel better about your home, it will make your home a better place to live.

Green Living II

Step Two: Take Simple Steps

You don’t have to give your home a top-to-bottom instant makeover. Take small steps to make your home more energy efficient and natural. Each one you take makes the next one easier.
Here are some simple steps to get you started:
- No running on empty. Load the dishwasher after every meal, but only turn it on when it’s totally full. Running several smaller loads instead of a full load wastes both water and energy.
- Foil spills. Line the oven, broiler and burners with aluminum foil for easier (and less harsh) clean up.
- Green clean or hire a service to get the job done! :)
- Think reuse! Recycling is great, but it still consumes a lot of energy. Before you toss, ask yourself: “Is there anything else I can use this for?” (Storing toys, sorting change, craft projects, etc.)
- Buy recycled. For paper product must-haves, purchase recycled, unbleached paper towels or napkins. Kitchen trash bags made from recycled materials are becoming more widely available as well.
- Car smarts. Save water by cutting the number of times you wash the car each month, and make sure to turn off the faucet between rinses. And think twice before hopping in the car for a ride to the store. Try shopping once every one or two weeks instead of making multiple trips for just a few items. Limiting the number of trips helps save gas and money.

Simple steps to Green Living....

Whether it’s out of concern for the environment or for a desire to live a more natural lifestyle, more people are making green decisions for their homes. In Gallup’s annual Environmental Poll (2008), 28 percent of Americans said they’ve made major changes to their lives to protect the environment, while 55 percent said they have made minor changes. The most common changes involve recycling, conserving fuel, using less electricity and making homes more energy efficient.
Another step people are taking is to buy eco-friendly or more natural products for their homes. A recent Yahoo green living survey found that 57 percent of respondents have made green purchases within the last six months.There are simple and affordable steps you can take around the house that will help improve the environment of your home as well as the earth.

Step One: Understand Natural

For example, when The Clorox Company introduced its line of Green Works natural cleaners, it listed all ingredients on the label and defined what it means by natural: ingredients that are plant-based, biodegradable and not tested on animals.

Live in Maid charged with Attempted murder

A 23-YEAR-OLD Indonesian maid was charged on Thursday with attempting to murder her employer, national Bernama news agency said.
Hanni Seo allegedly attacked Phang Kian Huang while she was taking a nap in her house in northern Penang state, Bernama said.
Mrs Phang, 42, suffered a fractured skull and needed some 100 stitches following the attack, it said.
Hanni pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder, which is punishable by up to 20 years in jail, the report said. No further details were available.
Court officials and lawyers could not be immediately reached for comment.
More than 300,000 Indonesian women are employed as housemaids in Malaysia. Many of them complain of ill-treatment by their employers, including overwork, verbal abuse and sometimes physical punishment.
But it is rare for an employer to be the victim.

World not on track to stop climate change

Energy and carbon market analysts have issued a dire warning at a summit in London, where they told the international community that the current pace of clean energy investment won't be enough to halt the worst effects of climate change in the coming years.

Global Futures 2009, a report tabled at a summit in London sponsored by the New Energy Finance (NEF), says the world economic crisis appears to be drying up funding for lower-carbon energy solutions - and that could have a lasting impact.

According to the NEF report, scientists fear that unless growth of emissions stops and peaks by 2020 (at the latest), the Earth will be at the strongest risk for severe and irreversible climate change. The NEF says current investment in clean energy sources is not at pace to deal effectively with the impending environmental crisis.

According to the NEF:
Investment in clean energy is expected to hold steady at around US$150 billion per year through the current economic downturn.
In the Global Futures 2009 base scenario, the current investment pace and projections are insufficient to drive down carbon emissions from the energy system before 2030.
Total clean energy investment is set to reach $270 billion by 2015 and $350 billion by 2020.
Investment needs to reach $500 billion per year by 2020 if CO2 emissions from the world's energy system are to peak before then.
Otherwise, under the base scenario, emissions from fuel combustion are expected to rise from 28 Gtonnes of CO2 today to nearly 36 Gtonnes of CO2 by 2030.
The NEF says that while the recession has slowed down economic output and, therefore, has reduced carbon emissions, the reduction is not enough to counter the need for improved investment in clean energy sources and research.

The NEF noted that more investment is needed in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. It also said carbon capture and storage technologies need to be fostered, as does the switch from coal-fired to gas-fired power stations.
New Energy Finance added that countering global change makes environmental and economic sense. It estimates that the investment needed to halt rising carbon emissions by 2020 is roughly 0.44 per cent of global GDP.
"Failure to address climate change, on the other hand," according to the NEF, "is estimated in the (British government's) Stern Review and elsewhere to cost the world at least five per cent of global GDP."

Eco-Friendly Homes, Easy To Build

The latest in environment friendly homes, is a 600 year old medieval home in which heat is retained from the sun while naturally cooling in summer. Any extra energy requirements are provided by the solar panels on the roof and a wood chip boiler. The design originated in Spain and the structure is dome-shaped design based on medieval techniques. This eco-friendly home costs up to 445,000 pounds to build, but with the renewable technologies set to plummet, it could be the most affordable and practical option for the future.

The natural materials ensure that any fluctuations in the temperature can be absorbed
The construction involves environment friendly materials like the locally sourced timber and recycled newspaper for insulation. The building of the house is an easy task. The arched building is essentially one large vault spanning 65 feet (20 metres), covered on the outside with earth and plants to camouflage it and help it blend in with the rural surroundings. The natural materials ensure that any fluctuations in the temperature can be absorbed and the triple-glazed windows use as much light as possible. As stated by Michael Ramage, who is based at the University of Cambridge Department of Architecture, future homes will be more and more Eco-friendly in the future. "The design is cost-effective in that the home is relatively simple to build and, once you know what you're doing, it's quick," he said. "Many of the costs come from the new technology it uses for energy storage and generation. If those become more widely available, making a similar house cheaply in much larger quantities may be possible," he added.