[Curitiba, where Jaime Lerner served three terms as mayor. Creative Commons photo by Felipe Freeze]
He transformed the city of Curitiba, Brazil while he was mayor there and now helps urban planners across the world build and improve cities.
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In the late 90’s, cigarette makers experienced the kind of market boom in Asia that they hadn’t seen in the USA in years. Big tobacco enjoyed a tightening grip on Asian asian wallets and lungs; things were looking good. But in the last decade, an emerging health consciousness, popularly known as the wellbeing trend, has threatened to send the plans of cigarette makers up in smoke.
South Korea, for one, has seen a precipitous drop in smoking. In 2000, 70-80 percent of South Korean men were smokers. That number has tumbled to around 40% today. It’s no Bhutan, which banned all tobacco in 2004, but that’s still an impressive improvement. Why the sudden decrease in smoking?
Picture: Soleckshaw: Solar Powered Rickshaw being piloted in Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi
My big fear from media in relation to technology is hype. Media hype completely puts things out of perspective. In the case of technology, I am afriad that such euphoria will kill the technology with raised expectations that will not be fulfilled. I fear the same for Delhi’s ’soleckshaw.’ The soleckshaw is being presented as the grand, all-in-one solution to all kinds of things: from respect for the rickshaw-pullers to global warming. Soleckshaw has also been discussed here on Ecowordly and Planetsave in earlier postings.
Soleckshaw’s obvious advantages seem to be speed, ergonomics (especially for the driver), better balance and strength, looks and accessories. If things go well, it could help a lot: the solar rickshaw is undoubtedly more humane than the existing human-powered rickshaw; it would encourage people to use public transport (like the Delhi metro spreading its tentacles to distant ends of the metropole of Delhi) by adding end-point to end-point strength to trains that otherwise leave people to fend-for solutions at the two ends. The big benefits will, probably, come from providing viable alternatives to private cars, scooters, motorcycles or small buses that shuttle people from metro stations and are both the cause and victims of traffic jams. Naturally, its biggest gain would be a humane-gain: reducing back-breaking labor.
photographs by Bill Basquin
Here in San Francisco there will be a Solstice Seed Swap held at the Exploratorium (3601 Lyon Street) from 3-5pm, which has been organized by local artist and community gardener Bill Basquin. Bring seeds (or rooted cuttings) to share, or just come by to socialize with your fellow humans. There will be snacks as well as 2-D and 3-D photographic projections by Johunna Greyson, Greta Snider and Bill Basquin at 3:30pm.
This issue is no better demonstrated than by the US Government’s introduction last year of average fuel consumption targets. The legislation mandates a national passenger car fleet average consumption of 32 mpg by 2015, and 35 mpg by 2020.
Is this progress, or is it too little too late?
According to a recent report the fleet average for Europe was 34.4 mpg in 2007. Putting Europeans practically 14 years ahead of the game. Other major auto markets are similarly ahead.
As Japanese society becomes more aware of environmental issues, eco-bags have recently gained popularity. A growing number of businesses, including some of the largest retailers, are promoting the use of these bags.
At the Eco-Products 2008 fair, I saw reusable bags everywhere. Many of the exhibits gave away bags to visitors, and almost everyone walking around was carrying one or two of them.
As if you need more reasons to ditch single-use plastic bags, today marks Heal the Bay’s second “Day Without a Bag” in Los Angeles County. The environmental organization is supporting the cause by handing out free reusable shopping bags at locations county-wide.
If you remember, in July the LA City Council announced an all-out ban on the ubiquitous plastic bags, which will take effect in 2010. In LA County, large grocers were threatened with a ban unless they reduced the number of the bags used by 30% by 2010 and by 65% by 2013. Of course, the companies that make plastic bags are fighting the measures, putting forth the argument that stores and consumers will use paper bags instead, which they claim are worse for the environment. I guess that they have missed this whole reusable bag movement, huh?
I attended the first day of Japan’s Eco-Product 2008 fair. After attending a long symposium, I had just a little over hour to check the some parts of the huge Eco-Products exhibition hall. There were so many people in the big hall a full of exhibitors.
More details of some of the intresting products on display are to come later, but meantime here are some pictures from the event:
You know green is popular when that’s what people are buying, even though some green gifts cost a little more and we all know these are tough times. People want to spend their money responsibly and wisely by getting gifts that are safe and are going to last.
I am surprised by how many people are shopping green this year, even in Flint and surrounding areas. Green toys are really a big thing and some stores can’t seem to keep them in stock.
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