Author: Jean-Paul
Website: http://www.thechicecologist.com/2008/12/repurposing-upcyclin…

Repurposing (also known as upcycling or reuse) is really the best way of taking an existing object (usually no longer suited for its original purpose)  and reusing it for another purpose. This can be as simple as creating an art mosaic out of broken dishes, to turning old doors into tables. It can be as creative as you are and just takes some imagination and good ol’ Macgyver skills. Doing this in a pleasing design friendly way can sometimes be a challenge, but here are a few of my favorites that have worked brilliantly both in the visual and the functional uses. First up, some great green home ideas of repurposed furniture, decor and lighting:

Vintage Belt Floor Mat
One of the coolest floor covering/mats i have ever seen. Its made of old leather belts and has a textures and colors that astound me. You can find them at Branch Home, along with a whole lot of other cool designed sustainable items and housewares.

Designer: Inghua Ting
Made from: Vintage leather belts
Price: $688.00<br…

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The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is changing the way we think about buildings, specifically with regard to energy usage. Buildings currently account for nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions, a fact we simply cannot ignore. AIA architects are leading the way by integrating sustainable design practices in all of their projects, thereby being able to reduce energy consumption to less than half.

This is a strong stand, but a necessary step toward achieving a 50% reduction from the current consumption level of fossil fuels used to build and operate new and renovated buildings by the year 2010. To meet this goal, the AIA started the “Walk the Walk” movement by saying, “We strongly believe that the time for talk has passed, and now it is the time to walk the walk.

AIA architects are uniquely poised to provide the leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to reduce our national and global carbon footprint. By using sustainable design practices and techniques,… (Read the rest of this article at the following article source link for the full story)

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Author: Green Talk
Website: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/green-talk/jRYI/~3/487217446/…

The Union of Concerned Scientists has been quite busy compiling their resolutions on how to change the current federal science policy with a new administration posed to take over the country.  Their Ten Wishes for the Obama Administration was prompted by President-elect Obama’s selection of Steven Chu, Nobel Prize-winning physicist for energy secretary yesterday.

“Fortunately, political interference in science is a problem with a solution,” said Dr. Francesca Grifo, director of the UCS Scientific Integrity Program in recent press release. “We’ve provided 10 quick, easy and inexpensive actions the new administration can take to get off on the right foot.”

“The Obama administration will face immense challenges that can only be met if it has access to the best available scientific information,” she added. “The new leaders of science-based federal agencies must make scientific integrity reform a priority if they are to regain the faith of all Americans and make fully informed…

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