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China to become king of hybrid and electric cars

China’s government has adopted a new plan that would enable it to become the expert in hybrid and electric cars. The plan, which would allow for more subsidies for cars in China, would also lower air pollution levels in Beijing and Shanghai, two cities that are smothered by the dirty air. The government has already taken steps to make room for more than a million electric or hybrid vehicles (including buses) on the roads. And because most commuters who live in the big cities almost never leave the city, the electric grid companies have been ordered to build fueling and charging stations all over suburban areas. While the desire to improve environmentally is appealing, many wonder why China doesn’t also allot for better — and safer — public transportation.

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New York’s offshore windfarm?

While the green industry and most of the world were looking to Copenhagen for inspiration, New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg was in a helicopter, overlooking Denmark’s offshore windfarm, Horns Rev 2, the largest of its kind in the world to date. Bloomberg has his own offshore windfarm energy project already in motion, and with the Long Island wind project estimated to be operating at 700 megawatts, Horns Rev 2 (operating at 209 megawatts) will be easily replaced as the largest offshore windfarm. Read more

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Beautiful Earth Group solar powered vehicle stations

Beautiful Earth Group, a New York-based sustainable energy company, has finally made solar powered electric vehicle stations bi-costal. Red Hook, Brooklyn, is home to the first of these powering stations, just a stone’s throw from Beautiful Earth’s offices in downtown Manhattan. The stations is completely modular and off-grid, and is comprised of shipping containers that have been recycled specifically for this purpose. Read more

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World’s largest solar energy building

In Dezhou, located deep in the Shangdong Province in Northwest China, lies a 75,000 square meter structure in the shape of a fan. The building, which houses a hotel, science research facilities, meeting and training facilities, and exhibition centers, is solely powered by solar energy. The structure, which uses advanced wall and roof practices to achieve a 30% energy savings than the national standard. The building boasts the title of the ‘largest solar-powered building in the world’ and will be the main venue for the Fourth World Solar City Congress.

YOU'RE SAYING (2)

rully said | 7 April, 2009

Who are the many that wonder why china doens’t provide for better and safer public transportaion?
the system in beijing and shanghai, I hear are relatively good.

fronia said | 3 October, 2009

you are wrong

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Painter Amy Crehore’s paintings of nudes hanging out in the jungle with monkeys, cats, lions, and little kids dressed like clowns remind me bit of Frida Kahlo’s work. Crehore seems to be making a comment about the male gaze — the women in her work seem to be both aware of and indifferent to the masculine lust they inspire. Read more


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Free bird boots are handmade customized military boots, applying recycling to fashion in a new way. Created by young New York-based designer, Stacey Howard, the boots were originally collected from military bases in the South. As Howard says: ‘It felt most natural to my aesthetic to use vintage native American garments and paint to refabricate the boots. Using a soldier’s boot and an Indian’s blanket, I wanted to merge two opposite and patriotic styles and use them in the most organic way’. Free bird boots are currently sold through Steve Madden’s Steven stores on Ludlow and Bleecker in New York. Read more

Our friends over at Sex In Art recently posted the work of Japanese artist Aya Kato. Says Justin, the founder of the site: ‘I have this folder on my desktop titled Cool Shiat. It’s where I save all the inspirational images I find on the net. I’ve just finished filling it up with Aya Kato’s amazing images. Argh wow. Wow, wow, wow. I won’t say anymore. Just check her work out for yourself’. Read more


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I’ve loved 3D art ever since I was a kid, especially the kind that requires 3D glasses to really appreciate it. My studio, Thunderdog, is working on an art book right now of just three dimensional art, featuring a hundred artists. It should be out next Christmas.

Kirk brings Molly to meet his family for a pool party but she doesn’t have her swim suit. Kirk, an average Joe, can’t believe his luck when gorgeous babe Molly falls for him even though he’s the first to admit She’s Out of My League. In cinemas April 1.

PLUS, designed by Mount Fuji Architects Studio, is an amazing weekend house built on the Izu-san mountainside in Tokyo, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The building is largely made of marble, and is so clean and zen in its form as to be unnerving. Read more

Beach House are certainly different. The dream pop/indie rock duo from Baltimore create music bursting with atmospheric rhythms, pretty organs and poignant lyrics. I’m loving Norway, the twosome’s debut single from their upcoming album, Teen Dream. If the vocals sound familiar, that’s because lead singer Victoria Legrand shared backing vocals on Grizzly Bear’s Two Weeks. Now how’s that for trivia?

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Yu Xiao

Yu Xiao was born in Zi Bo, Shandong, China. She received her M.A. in Photography from China Central Academy of Fine Arts in 2009. In this work, Never Grow Up, Yu Xiao digitally created child versions of herself as a commentary on China’s one child rule and the intense focus on childhood that results. Read more

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Code Organ

The clever folk at Code Organ made a sythesizer that turns webpages into music. Just enter a URL and listen to the sweet, sweet sounds your site produces.

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Creative cupcake design

Yum, yum, cupcakes are fun. These creations are so clever, so arty, so damn bizarre that it would almost be a shame to eat them. Almost! Read more

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Car from made ice

Forget battery powered vehicles. Cars made from ice are the future of transportation: no pollution, no honking horns, no painful rap music blasting out of souped up stereos. And if they melt, they melt. You just swim the rest of the way down the slipstream.

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Angelo Plassas

Greek/Italian artist Angelo Plassas creates flash- based websites that are each interactive pieces of art unto themselves. Read more


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Each one of these Bracelaces by Itunube is turned into an elegant drawing on the skin using different kinds of lace combined with leather, metal components and glass beads. They are just US$25 in the Lost At E Minor store. Read more

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The new Runaways movie looks at the formation of the seminal girls’ group which spawned Joan Jett’s career. We have a Runaways prize pack to give away, including Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway, the Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Greatest Hits CD, the film’s soundtrack, and Joan Jett’s photobook with Todd Oldham. To enter, just leave the name of the city you live in! Read more


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