The Sahara Forest Project will turn the desert into a source of food, water, and energy

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The Sahara Forest Project

The Sahara Forest Project is the brainchild of three entrepreneurs, Charlie Paton, Michael Pawlyn and Bill Watts. The project turns the Sahara desert into a source for food, water, and energy. The Sahara Forest Project is a solution that combines seemingly disparate technologies – Concentrated solar power and Seawater Greenhouses – and turns them into a mean, green super-massive biomachine. The elegant system could potentially produce enough energy for all of Africa and Europe while turning one of the world’s most inhospitable regions into a flourishing oasis.

 

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MIT’s fog harvesting technology brings water to deserts

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2invVwyC6k[/youtube]

Deserts may not have a lot of water like in rivers or lakes or aquifers but that doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t a lot of water around somewhere. Many desert-dwelling plants and animals have adapted to extract water from the air itself, relying on fog that reliably shows up in deserts near warm oceans.

 

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Dust Blown Into the Oceans From the African Desert May Increase Risk of Seafood Poisoning

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Dust from the African Desert can increase the growth of bacteria that are the main cause of food poisoning from seafood.

Researchers have found that harmful bacteria found in seawater flourish in the presence of dust that comes from the Sahara desert in western Africa, as well as other areas of continent.

Panasonic Ships Snowman 5,314 Miles to the Desert in a Cardboard Box

snowman

A Bahraini girl named Amna al-Haddad, wanted her younger brother Saleh to see snow for the first time.

Using no refrigeration, a snowman made in Japan traveled 5,314 miles to the desert of Bahrain, surviving the journey in one piece. The feat was a nice test of Panasonic’s new vacuum insulation panels, called U-Vacua, and a clever stunt that produced squeals of joy from a bunch of Bahraini kids. (Video)

 

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Nitrogen Loss Threatens Desert Plant Life, Study Shows

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The Mojave Desert. As the climate gets warmer, arid soils lose nitrogen as gas, reports a new Cornell study. That could lead to deserts with even less plant life than they sustain today, say the researchers.

As the climate gets warmer, arid soils lose nitrogen as gas, reports a new Cornell study. That could lead to deserts with even less plant life than they sustain today, say the researchers.

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Nasca People Of Ancient Peru: Forest Clearances Sealed Civilization’s Downfall

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Nazca Lines in the Peruvian Desert.

An ancient South American civilisation which disappeared around 1,500 years ago helped to cause its own demise by damaging the fragile ecosystem that held it in place, a study has found.

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Chile’s Desert Key Source To Growing Demand Of Lithium

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIsX1-JErIA&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Chile’s Salar de Atacama desert is a major source for the world’s lithium, key ingredient in the batteries we use in our laptops, cell phones and other gadgets every day. And, key ingredient in batteries for a growing selection of electric and electric hybrid cars. As the demand for battery-powered devices increases, so does the demand for lithium and therefore the earthly resources that provide it. Check out this video from CBS about the production and demand.

 

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World’s First Self-Watering Plant Discovered

World’s First Self-Watering Plant Discovered

Desert Rhubarb 

Scientists have discovered the world’s first ‘self-watering’ plant in Israel’s Negev desert – one of the driest regions on earth. The Desert Rhubarb can hold 16 times more water than its rivals and has developed a unique ability to effectively water itself in its barren habitat.

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Mission Seedbomb To Combat Deforestation

Mission Seedbomb To Combat Deforestation

Seedbomb 

Legend has it that after the World War II got over, American pilot Gale Halvorson airdropped candies in the name of hope, for the Berlin children. War equals devastation, so dropping candies instead of bombs was probably personal retribution. Inspired by this incident, designer Hwang Jin wook and pals have come up with a plan to combat deforestation and desertification of land in a similar fashion. Their mission is called “Seedbomb.”
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The Amazing Art of Dale Chihuly in the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix

 The Amazing Art of Dale Chihuly in the Desert Botanical

The desert is brought to life in amazing color thanks to the brilliant work of Dale Chihuly

While spending a weekend in February in Phoenix, Arizona, we received several recommendations to visit the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. It was on our last day, on a Monday morning before we flew back home. Since it is close to the airport, it became our final memory before leaving Arizona. And it was a terrific high note to depart on. Here is a photo journey of what we saw. (Pics)

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Playasphere: Battle Tank With A Difference

Playasphere: Battle Tank With A Difference

 Playasphere

Product Description: The Playasphere is a battle tank with a difference. It spins, has two gigantic hemispheres for wheels, and spews flame balls. The “quasi-gyroscopic” crawler is an ostentatious act, with deafening speakers and weirdly built satellite dish components. The flame is created with the help of propane, while the mobility is taken care of by electric motors. Take the Playasphere into the desert for a spin and rest assured that it would be visible even 50 miles away (if some exaggeration is permitted!).

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‘Grow Your Own Home’ With Eco-Architecture

‘Grow Your Own Home’ With Eco-Architecture 

 A computer-generated illustration of a TAU/Plantware “home.”

A bus stop that grows its own foliage as shade? A children’s playground, made entirely from trees? A shelter made from living tree roots that could provide natural protection against earthquakes in California?

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Discover the Hidden Patterns of Tomorrow with Futurist Thomas Frey
Unlock Your Potential, Ignite Your Success.

By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.

Learn More about this exciting program.