The carbon footprint of World Cup 2010

While South Africa and the rest of the continent may be pursuing renewable forms of energy, the world's biggest sporting event will have anything but an environmental benefit with a report saying the carbon footprint of World Cup 2010 will be six times that of the last competition four years ago in Germany.

However, it's not just the influx of fans flying in from around the world to see the games, contributing to the footprint, in fact the majority of carbon was caused in the build up to the tournament.

Flexible paving slab harnesses kinetic energy of people walking!

Every time the rubber Pavegen stone is stepped on, it flexes 5mm and the dynamo technology stores the kinetic energy produced. Five paving slabs distributed over a section of a pavement will provide sufficient power to illuminate a bus information panel overnight. 

How about using those in the dance floors in clubs?!

Read more here:

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=12560

"The Bridge" is the largest homeless center to achieved LEED rating

The building targets a LEED Silver rating and includes a green-roofed dining room within an open courtyard, ample daylighting, which reduces energy consumption and enhance the connection to the outside world. The Pavilion reuses an existing warehouse and can accommodate 200 people. It contains ceiling fans and radiant heaters for temperature control. And finally, the greywater system is said to save more than 1.5 million gallons of potable water per year.

Read more here:

http://www.contractdesign.com/contract/content_display/design/news/e3ib047da6a5b38efff93e44776e47c8b2e

Showing the Benefits of ‘Green’ Retrofits

This new report will reveal the savings which have been made due to retrofitting buildings in New York City via a public database of several hundred retrofitted buildings. 

This will definitely be a big step forward in better understanding building energy usage and proving that building more efficiently is really worth it!

Read more here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/realestate/commercial/02deutsche.html