Are hybrid vehicles hip, or hype?

If you're considering a hybrid for your next vehicle purchase, you might be wondering what sets a hybrid car apart from a conventional combustion engine vehicle. Having an understanding of hybrid technoogy basics can make the transition to hybrid vehicle ownership an easier process. Just as the label suggests, hybrid cars are a cross between a conventional vehicle and their all-electric cousins. Depending on the particular hybrid, the engine and motor can be configured in one of a variety of ways to meet the desired objective which is often to maximize fuel efficiency while on your daily commute but can also be targeted toward other purposes, such as a desire for greener living. Read More...

A term merging the concepts of "green" (environmentally sound) and "whitewashing" (to conceal or gloss over wrongdoing). Greenwashing is any form of marketing or public relations that links a corporate, political, religious or nonprofit organization to a positive association with environmental issues for an unsustainable product, service, or practice.

In some cases, an organization may truly offer a "green" product, service or practice. However, through marketing and public relations, one is wrongly led to believe this "green" value system is ubiquitous throughout the entire organization.

But how to you identify greenwashing? Read More...

Formaldehyde. It's in your vinyl floor. It's in your vinyl siding. It's in your paint. It's in your furniture. It's in the groovy plywood paneling so hip in Dwell magazine. The fact is that Read More...

Ecological Restoration is the process of assisting in the recovery and management of ecological integrity and includes biodiversity, ecological processes and structures, regional and historical context, and sustainable cultural practices. Last week, while in Mexico City, I had the opportunity to speak with Elias Cattan of Taller 13 Arquitectura Regenerativa, working toward the restoration and restoration of water bodies in the densely occupied 22M populous mega city. Read More...