Happy New Year!

All the best in 2011. If there's just one video you should going into the year, let it be this one; it's spectacular. Then google "Biomimicry" :) you'll be glad y0u did!

Fixing the Future

In this one-hour PBS special, Host David Brancaccio visits communities across America using innovative approaches to create jobs and build prosperity in the new economy.

Watch the full episode. See more NOW on PBS.

James Howard Kunstler dissects suburbia

One of my fave TED talks; although not new (from 2004) there's still a lot we can learn from his thoughts presented in the presentation, that is: public spaces should be inspired centres of civic life and the physical manifestation of the common good. Instead, what he argues, is we have places not worth caring about.

Humanity's Crossroads: Integrating Science and Cosmology

This time of year always brings with it interesting conversation regarding the different worldviews out there and much of the dogma that comes with them. But what if we could take the best from both views; and stop arguing about evolution vs. intelligent design once and for all. Just a thought? Mary Evelyn Tucker talks Integrating Science and Cosmology. You can also alternatively listen to the complete 25 minute highly enlightening interview on the GOP website. (http://www.globalonenessproject.org/videos/maryevelyntuckercomplete)

Walking Away from the Wall Street Kings

Why Resilience Beats Sustainability - Rob Hopkins on Transition in the City (Video)

"I think, for me, in the times we are moving into now the concept or resilience is a much more useful idea than that of sustainability. Sustainability implies that we are trying to design a steady-state system with less inputs and less outputs than we have at the moment, which can carry on indefinitely. Whereas actually what we need to be designing for is the ability to withstand shock. But a lot of the literature about resilience talks about it meaning that a system can take shock, and then reform into its previous state. Whereas increasingly, the way people are starting to look at it, it's about seeing that shock as an opportunity to change."

Yard Pod Made Out of Hemp

One of the companies and projects I'm lucky enough to be a part of. Our yard pod prototype is made with all organic and local industrial hemp fibre combined with a locally-sourced hydrated lime binder with some other non-toxic pozzolans. We are working on a few larger projects next year including a tiny house and a home retrofit which we are very excited about. Visit www.canamobuilding.com for more info.

New Book explores our personal connection to the environment

SEATTLE, WA., November 15, 2010—Ecotone Publishing, the industry’s first exclusive green architecture and design publisher, today announced the release of a new book, ZUGUNRUHE – The Inner Migration to Profound Environmental Change, authored by internationally acclaimed green design visionary Jason F. McLennan. Just prior to periods of great migration, certain species display agitation and restlessness - a
phenomenon referred to by scientists as ‘zugunruhe’. McLennan identifies a similar pattern emerging among people yearning for a sustainable future. This book is intended as a catalyst for anyone interested in exploring a deeper, more meaningful connection to the environmental movement. “Zugunruhe is a work of creative genius that draws us into an engaging journey of self-discovery, brings the biggest and most frightening issues of our time up close, and invites our engagement,” notes David Korten, “It will leave you envisioning human possibilities you never previously imagined.” Profound, personal and practical, McLennan’s narrative reminds us that individual efforts ripple outward and can lead to revolutionary change for the betterment of people and planet.
ZUGUNRUHE – The Inner Migration to Profound Environmental Change (ISBN
978-0-9749033-2-3)is available online and at architecture and building bookstores throughout North America. Foreword by renowned natural sciences writer, and author of Biomimicry, Janine Benyus. For more information, excerpts or to order the book, please visit http://www.ecotonedesign.com