Whenever I feel blue, down in the dumps, or think there is not much hope for the future or love going around, all I need to do is find a few moms and their babies. The Buenos Aires Zoo in the Argentina Capital is happy to lift my spirits today.

A baby seal and mom ...

A baby lemur and mom ...

A baby alpaca, a baby donkey, and their moms ...

All these baby animals were born from October of last year to January of this year. They made their debut for visitors earlier this week. Meanwhile, infertile couples everywhere might be found heading for Argentina.

What gives you hope? Makes you feel their is love in the air during the Valentine’s Day season?

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The population of Yunnan golden monkeys has grown form more than 500 in 1983 to around 1,300 at present. I suppose that’s a lot but I know conservative churches that grow faster than that by just letting their congregants have babies. Maybe, we need to send these monkeys to church, no?

The population increase happened at the nature reserve due to the protection efforts of local government and residents.

China – the only country where they can be found,has some 2,000 Yunnan golden monkeys altogether in the country. They are mammal and are listed in Category I of the Chinese Wildlife Protection Act. They are one of the most endangered animals in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). They are also on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

Further, they can never be found in church or chances are there would be a lot more of them, and if not, well they’d be happier in eternity.

Seriously. Congratulations to China and the reserve on the population growth of the monkeys. But, then…China has never had problems with having a huge population, now has it?

[via Sina]

In what is being hailed as a major step towards going green in the developing world, Bharat Renewable Energy, a joint venture between Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Nandan Biomatrix, announced they will build 10 new biodiesel refineries in India.

Jatropha Field in Uttar Pradesh

Considering that green initiatives are few and far in-between in this part of the world, the announcement has already assumed great significance. The $428 million project will initially be concentrated around the Kanpur, Jhansi, Laltpur, Chitrakoot, and Sultanpur districts of Uttar Pradesh.

According to the sources in the country, the nation wants biofuel to account for 20% of its total gasoline fuel production. While that is still a long way to go, the company will use jatropha as the main source of raw material and promises that the newly added plants will contribute 270 million gallons of biofuel by 2015. And what’s even better, the production will not affect the food crops, as the plant is a common weed easily found in the region.

We can only hope that nations like India and China are really taking steps in the green direction, as both nations contribute plenty in terms of global carbon emissions each year.

[via TreeHugger]

Generating electricity by harnessing the power of the wind in the most stylish possible way, here’s another rooftop wind turbine that offers a cost effective energy source for domestic, community and industrial use.

Designed by Cascade Engineering to be environmentally  sustainable, the Swift Wind Turbine uses a variety of patented technologies that makes it both safe and silent, and has a very sleek aspect. As for how effective it is, in just four years it becomes carbon and energy positive.

Aesthetically pleasing, the wind turbine is suited for both urban and suburban settings, and features a system that makes it easy to install and operate for every user. Here are more specs about it:

• Blade/Ring Diameter: 7 feet
• Minimum clearance from roofline: 2 feet
• Rated power output: 1.5kW @ 14 m/s
• Annual Power Supplied: up to 2000 kWh
• Electric power: 240VAC, 60Hz output voltage
• Noise: less than 35 decibels for all wind speeds
• Quiet mast mounting technology eliminates unwanted vibration to building/home

[SWT via DesignBoom]

Japan’s PM Taro Aso is ordering his ministries to draft a “Green New Deal” this week. The “Green New Deal” is expected to counter the twin towers threats of climate change and economic downturn.

Green New Deal

Aso’s stimulus package will focus on slashing greenhouse gases.

Aso is expected to fall in step with new US President Barack Obama vow to lead the world on climate change. High on the agenda – new measures to encourage the development of fuel-efficient cars.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is also asked for a “Green New Deal” at a UN climate conference in Poland in December. (more…)

Alex wrote 15 Interesting Facts About the Emperor Penguin, but we have one more.

A female emperor penguin laid an egg at Nanjing Underwater World in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province earlier this week. It is the first time an emperor penguin laid an egg in China. Now, if I were an emperor penguin I could tell you some serious stories about when I laid an egg or two in the country but that is beyond the scope of the post.

The egg was found by an aquarium staff member early Monday morning. (Looking for breakfast food, maybe?)

Six emperor penguins live at the aquarium. All of the critters were brought back from Antarctica by Chinese scientists. The female emperor penguin lays eggs one at a time, then transfers it to the male to hatch and incubate it. Meanwhile, the female goes on a trek for food.

We wonder where female emperor penguins in captivity trek off to and what their male counterparts do while they are gone. Hmm….

[via Sina]

There are many who will take a quick look at anything wooden and start shouting it’s not planet-friendly because it means trees are being chopped down, but most of the time renowned furniture companies use cultivate and replant their own. Carefully made out of Western Red Cedar wood, the enchanting hot tub you see in here, sure brings comfort to your senses. And it’s “green”.

Designed and sold by SeaOtter WoodWorks, these hot tubs employ the usage of only natural material along with a natural wooden heater that has a host of comforting features for you. Complete with cover, electric or gas heater, jets, filter and benches, the Wooden Cedar hot tub coaxes you with its natural goodness and the simple elegance of its design. You can either put it on a deck in the open or in your bathroom.

Available in oval and circular shapes and a range of sizes, this is also a lot cheaper than those stylish, bland designs offered by many. If you love being close to nature, you will relish a dip in these for sure!

[via Trendir]

Green commuting is something rare in most big cities, as people find it hard to integrate their own personal bicycle ride with the local transportation system. Yet, commuting over short distances on an ultra-cool and ergonomically styled modern bike is something that has plenty of appeal. And that’s what the Organik motion Bike is all about.

Aimed at encouraging modern urban commuters to start pedaling for the sake of their own health and that of their planet, the highly sleek and stylish bicycle uses a very simple Z-frame concept along with forcing the rider to get into the perfect aerodynamic position to reduce drag.

Looking more like a machine built for the Olympics rather than just for daily rides across the city, it features a fully integrated braking system, front and rear suspension systems, a shaft drive, and wheels that use a reflective material to keep you safe on a dull and foggy day.

The major problem with the bike is the obvious fact that it looks a shade too ‘contemporary’ and hence seems to be aimed purely at the younger audience. Also the fact that the riding position is so athletic, means that this will feel more like a workout rather than a gentle ride.

Either way, this is still a nice little step forward when it comes to promoting green on wheels!

[via Ecofriend]

Dare to trash it?

Trying to educate or make people aware that we should be good stewards to our environment is not an easy task. I can’t think of any good reason, but it’s a fact. However, I’m trying to do as much as possible to change that. How? With images that will fuel your creative thinking and inspire to protect rather than ‘not care’. I looked online for some and I came out with these amazing green meadows surrounded by a stunning scenery that only adds to its perfectness. Wild, yet so pure, isn’t it?

Images courtesy of DCSL, tokyogoat, 0000ff, egefan, wetwater, thebmag

Unless a product is nicely wrapped up or advertised like hell, it’s really hard for people to choose it over another one. Same goes for eco-friendly products that are not getting enough promotion these days. But famous shampoo company, Pantene, is trying to do something different. They’ve got beautiful Padma Lakshmi as “face” for their new Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion line and count on getting people jealous on her amazing curls.

Featuring several plant-based ingredients – Cassia plant that makes it shiny and soft, bamboo, avocado. ginger, aloe vera and calendula, the new line will sell for $3.99 for the shampoos and conditioners, and just $5.99 for the smoothing crème. Would you try it? (the new Pantene line, that is …)