Latest Articles

Geek legend hacks together an off-grid smart home

Loren Amelang is a pioneer in C++ programming, and his homebrewed live/work space is a monument to sustainable geekery.

How China will force Americans to drive electric cars

The sheer number of vehicles being added in Asia means a whole new level of competition for oil. It’s a competition that Asia will almost surely win, and will probably do more to drive the adoption of electric cars in the U.S. than any policy or tax credit.

Of soccer moms and sinister U.N. plots

When communities embrace sustainability, are they actually falling victim to the evil U.N. plot known as Agenda 21? A visit to a simple town meeting in New England reveals the surprising truth.

Republicans for Environmental Protection drops ‘Republicans’ from name

Once upon a time, there were green Republicans. Now, not so much.

We-Flashy sells reflective biking gear that looks like normal cool clothes

Oh yes, you're cool. Your bike looks like a Victorian gentleman. Your helmet looks like a tweed fedora. And your reflective vest looks like ... a shitty reflective vest. You have two options: Embrace ugliness as a hipness signifier, or find reflective clothing that actually looks like something you'd wear on purpose.

Facebook for cities: A social network for building better neighborhoods

Neighborland, an online platform born from an experiment in street art, helps residents cook up smart ideas for improving their communities, then gives those ideas wings.

Obama ad ties Mitt Romney to Big Oil’s gas-price attacks

The Obama campaign is acting as if it is already in a general-election fight, against a Big Oil-Mitt Romney ticket.

Power source of the future: Snails

Sometimes it seems like researchers design experiments specifically to win an Ig Nobel prize. How else do you explain a paper titled "Implanted Biofuel Cell Operating in a Living Snail"?

Glean unto others: Ending hunger with foraged foods

Fruit and vegetable gleaning isn't just for nature-curious hipsters. It's also a great way to get fresh food in the hands of those with less access.

All the insanity of modern car culture, in one image

See also: Solar-powered tanning salon.