This new solar powered rickshaw or the ‘Soleckshaw‘ is a most convenient way to travel in the most congested of cities. Recently launched in Delhi, this electric rickshaw has a sturdier frame than the earlier models, features soft foamed seats that can comfortably seat three people and can travel at the speed of 10mph and up to 40 miles before its 36 volt battery needs to be recharged.

Chief Minister of New Delhi, Sheila Dikshit (c-l) and Minister of Science and Technology, Kapil Sibal (c-r) ride in the new solar-electric rickshaw, after its launch in New Delhi

The rickshaw pullers are very happy with this new launch that will lighten their burden because the batteries will take the weight while the they keep pedaling on it. That means less energy used.

Earlier the rickshaw pullers worked all day to earn something as meager as £2.50 a day but with the new solar powered rickshaw the Indian government believes that things will change. They also think that a modified version of the soleckshaw that involves a car-like body may turn to be a fruitful discovery to reducing global warming.

‘In the age of global warming, the soleckshaw, with improvements, can be successfully developed as competition for all the petrol and diesel run small cars,’ said Pradip Kumar Sarmah of the CSIR.

Though I salute the idea of a zero carbon foot print vehicle, I don’t think it’s safe and fast enough to be “invading” our streets. It’s good for the environment if you think of it solely, but considering that they clog up the roads, I think they need to improve it … and do it fast. – via DailyMail

B Happy bags which are made in the USA using upholstery weight fabrics or recycled water bottles are truly very sturdy. We don’t know exactly what she does with them, but Christina Clark said that she had easily carried 30 pounds of apples in the bag with utmost ease (keep some apple juice/pie/etc for us, too, please )

These bags have colorful prints, are easily washable and can fold up to a size that can conveniently fit in to your handbag or even your pocket, and the handles are made of heavy duty webbing which gives it a better grip and a more resistance power. Up to a ton of groceries, they say. Since they do not have a plastic lining inside, they can be folded easily without being all crumpled up.

You can get the happy bags in lime green zebra print, as holiday and seasonal theme bags as well as a reusable Trick and Treat bag. More other modes are available and you should definitely at least check up on them. Price is $24. Looking great from my end, how about you?

Here’s a novel way to reduce our exploitation of the planet’s resources, that is, no iron or steel use and no need for fossil fuels.

A Chinese chemistry teacher built a boat out of paper, took it on an 800-meter voyage propelled by nothing but ping-pong paddles. He made the boat from everyday paper and used cooked flour soup for glue. Ah, no pollution….

Now, if he can just figure out where to haul the 1,000 cruisers and 1,000 staff that might want to take a voyage with him, we are in business. Don’t forget the gallery, the entertainment area, and the library and the whole bunch of them. How do people come up with these kinds of ideas, I wonder.

“Whatcha gonna do today, Wang?”
“Well, I think I’ll make a boat out of paper, get my ping-pong paddles and go for a mini-cruise.”

The UN food agency – the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is warning of a looming food crisis in Africa. The reason – global increase in food and fuel prices. The reason – increase production in bio-fuel at the expense of food production. The reason – climate change.

Kenyan agriculture assistant minister said, “that in as much as bio-fuel continues to draw attention due to the increasing prices of fossil fuels, there is need to focus on providing access to sustainable sources of energy.”

The assistant minister also said “thousands of bags of food are lying at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores and blamed the ministry of special programs for delaying its distribution to the hungry.”

“Hundreds of thousands of people are reported to be starving in a number of districts especially those in arid and semi arid regions.”

So, what should we do when we try to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels by increasing the use of bio-fuels so that we can save our environment but in the process people die for lack of food? Does anybody have an answer? – via Cri.cn

Image courtesy of martapigs

There’s a secluded lagoon hidden alongside an island about 700kms south of Tokyo where – Iol says – Japanese fishermen, with the blessings of Tokyo, are slaughtering dolphins. Between October and April of last year, some 16,000-20,000 of the mammals were killed under whaling laws.

The fishermen hammer metal rods into the sea to disable the dolphins’ sense of direction, thus herding them into the lagoon where they stab them to death with knives, hooks and lances. Babies are separated from their parents and pregnant dolphins miscarry, while those the rest are being sold in Japan. Some to animal trainers, while the remainder are killed in a secluded bay.

Parts of the dolphins are processed into pet food and fertilizer.

GP can’t verify the validity of the report, but I am game for heading to Japan, to this island off the coast to see what’s going on and if it’s harm to our good animal friends, try to stop it. Is there anybody who can verify this report?

The longest living insect in the world is Phobaeticus Chani, also known as Chan’s megastick. We showed you some giant insects in here before and knew that the record was hold by Borneo native Phobaeticus kirbyi, at more than 14 inches (35.6 cm), but not anymore. Phobaeticus Chani, also a native of Borneo Island in Malaysia, got the title for the longest living insect in the world after being measured for a record 22.3 inches (56.6cm).

Just the body (excluding legs) of this stick insect is longer than 14 inches.

“We’ve known about both the previous record holders for over 100 years, so it’s extraordinary an even bigger species has only just been discovered,’ said Dr George Beccaloni, curator of stick-insects and their relatives at the Natural History Museum.

The impressive insect is going to show in London’s Natural History Museum. – via GreenCentral

Carbon Sciences has recently declared that it has made an important breakthrough that can convert CO2 emissions into fuels. This would cut down on the 62 billion metric tones of CO2 – root cause of global warming, which is let out into the atmosphere every year.

The technology will use these harmful emissions and convert them into useful sources of energy.

As CO2 requires a lot of energy to break them into hydrocarbons that is used for fuel, Carbon Sciences is working on a technology, with the help of chemical and bioengineering principles that would hasten up this process. Since this process is highly energy efficient, they’ll set up a CO2 transformation plant that would use the CO2 released by a larger producer such as a power plant, and transform it into useable fuels.

This breakthrough technology promises that it can successfully give the world a cleaner atmosphere by closing the loop on carbon releases. – via Inhabitat

Pollution is killing more than AIDS in Sao Paulo, says a Sao Paulo University report Air Pollution Lab.

According to the study, some nine people die each day because of pollution – which makes it some 3,500 a year. Less than half of that number of people, 1,624, die each year as a result of AIDS and traffic combined.

Sao Paulo will spend $1.5 billion on pollution-caused diseases, caused mainly by the six million cars in the city. Is it just me or that sounds like, if the cars don’t kill you in traffic, they will kill you with what comes out the back?

Nearly two-thirds of the air pollution is caused by 10% of the total vehicles, the ones that run on diesel fuel. Statistics say that there are about 150 lives lost each year due to sulfur releases from diesel-fueled vehicles and 232 deaths caused by AIDS.

Sao Paulo will adopt a “clean diesel” in 2009 hoping to reduce pollution by at least 5%. Seriously time for the “B” in Bric to clean up its act. – via Xinhuanet

Image courtesy of Auntie P

Nature - an energy-capturing powerhouse

A London-based company, Solar Botanic, claims to have developed life-like artificial plants and trees that have the ability to trap solar and wind power. The prominent feature of these plants is the ‘Nano Leaf‘ which can harness these powers.

Its photovoltaic and thermo voltaic cells absorb the sun’s energy while the branches produce electricity whenever the wind brings movement in them. According to the company’s calculations, an average-sized tree with a 6sq meter canopy can produce reasonable energy to suffice a single household.

The company also plans to use this energy to power motorways, suburban streets and parks and everywhere else that trees can be planted. What lies in future for this invention is yet a distant thought? Since Solar Botanic has not divulged much of its plans, we will just have to watch for its developments. – via CleanTechnica

Nano-leaf technology : Environmental Benefits

There really is a Shangri-La. It is located at the center of the “Three Parallel Rivers” and is home to the Potatso National Park and Shudu Lake, Niru Area and Bitahai Nature Reserve.

Monks, (not monkeys) squirrels, fir trees and a Tibetan Buddhist Temple can be found there as well.

Ah, Shangri-La. It’s not just a hotel chain. It’s a real place.

When are you going to paradise?