If you’re a maker just starting out your journey in sustainability, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to get started. From understanding the types of materials to utilize, learning what steps will help reduce waste and emissions, and finding inspiring new ways to explore creativity that don’t have a negative environmental impact. The good news is there are plenty of resources available for DIYers looking for ways to make their projects more sustainable – from simple switches you can make today, big-picture ideas for longterm change, or exciting new ways makers are helping push sustainability into the future. In these blog posts we’ll look at tips tricks and ideas specifically tailored towards diyers and makers on the road to creating projects with greater eco consciousness so that not only will you create something beautiful but also respect its impact on our planet!
The first wave farm is open for biz, er, waving… The world’s first commercial wave farm went live at the end of September in Agucadoura, located off the coast of northern Portugal. Designed by Pelamis Wave Power, the farm employs three Wave Energy Converters – snakelike, semi-submerged devices that generate electricity with hydraulic rams driven […]
“Human Pump” by Gunwook Nam attempts to solve the global water crisis by capturing kinetic energy generated by human foot traffic in order to power a large system of pumps to move clean drinking water to the earth’s surface in the form of a waterfall. Some very nice renderings of the design at the link […]
I spotted this different take on a vertical-axis wind turbine at Maker Faire Austin last weekend: I haven’t found any further documentation on Rusty Forbes’ design online, but the Makers’ site claims this will work in winds from 5 to 90 miles per hour. Any takers to try and document building one? Also, check out […]
I’m not sure how I even came across the My Aunt Debbie shop, but it’s a load of fun–colorful, clever, and kitschy. Her offerings run the gamut from jewelry to clothing to housewares, with all of it made from repurposed and thrifted materials combined in new ways. Some of my favorite items in her shop […]
At Maker Faire Austin, Evil Mad Scientist Labs was demonstrating some really simple and useful circuits powered by solar cells. Today, they’ve posted the details on their site. Interruption-resistant direct drive: The “direct drive” circuits work well for their design function, but are rather basic. They provide no energy storage, and so are quite vulnerable […]
The Toyota station wagon recreational vehicle that never happened, Popular Science 1973. Toyota recently unveiled this jazzy-looking station wagon at the New York auto show. The station wagon (bottom photo) opens into a roomy camper (top). Toyota calls this 186-inch-long car the RV-2. It seats four, and stores in any garage. But the clamshell canopy […]
Singer-songwriter Josh Pyke rode this rather nifty guitar-boat into Australia’s Sydney Harbor as part of a shoot for an upcoming music video. The giant-sized floating six-string is a replica of the musician’s instrument of choice – a Maton brand acoustic. No details on the construction, but I’m guessing Pyke’s a big Roger Waters fan … […]
