Environmental Graffiti

Bacteria Vs. Saharan Desertification

The Saraha desert is the largest hot desert in the world. Spanning some 3.5 million square miles (9 million square km), this desert is almost as large as the United States and is expanding south at a rate of about 30 miles (48 km) per year. To help slow or even stop this expansion, scientists have proposed using a species of our microbial nemesis that turns ordinary sand into sandstone to construct a huge containing wall in the desert.

Continue reading...

Shining Solar Beacon Lights the Way for the Weary Traveler

Avid skiers may soon find a shining new example of sustainable shelter on their next trip to the Swiss Alps. The Monte Rosa Hut, developed by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) and winner of Holcim Awards Bronze 2008 Europe, is an alpine shelter that uses state of the art technology to self-sufficiently produce energy, collect water and treat both solid waste and waster water - all at 2,883 m above sea level.

Continue reading...