Creativity

What do Anne of Green Gables, the greenhouse gas effect, and climate change all have in common? Well, more than you’d think. 

 “Your story must be short, and it must be true.”

Anirudh Sharma, a former co-leader at MIT Media Lab India Initiative, recently invented a device to turn soot from car exhaust into black ink and paint.

Two engineers in Gaza have found an innovative use for the rubble and ash that are, unfortunately, in no short supply where they are living. Majd Mashharawi and Rawan Abddllaht, or the “Gaza Girls,” have created “GreenCake” blocks, which are cheaper, eco-friendly, and lightweight building materials.

In the midst of all the negativity, a positive forecast for 2017 for clean disruption of energy & transportation. An innovative talk on disruptive technologies and how when combined (energy storage, electric vehicles, self-driving cars, solar) will transform energy and transportation. I don't often say this, this is a must watch.

Russian photographer, Andy Seliverstoff, has captured the heartwarming connection and companionship between these "little kids and their big dogs". The unconditional love and compassion they have for each other is undeniable. Click here to view the full series.

Dane-zaa First Nations artist, Brian Jungen, sees more than just the mundane everyday objects that clutter our homes. He sees representations of culture and reflections of values. He sees inauthenticity in mass produced goods contrasting rare, significant ceremonial objects.

I just finished teaching the leadership for sustainability class at my university and am always amazed at the wonderful diversity of students I am privileged to meet. One of them, Shawn Laidlaw just sent me his beautiful blog, and there is one in particular that I wanted to share with you, The art of motocycle camping. Wonderful integrated writing with splashes of humour, worth the read.

Leave it to the French to come up with a wind turbine that is also aesthetically pleasing, integrating both form and function.

Leonardo Da Vinci was one of the earliest known inventors that looked to nature for design inspiration. He studied the flight of birds and the wings of bats to draft plans for his infamous flying machine. This design approach is biomimicry, which finds solutions for human challenges from the sustainable systems and patterns of nature.