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Starbucks opens sipping container drive-thru in Taiwan

It is an eye-catching Kengo Kuma design, but it ain't sustainable.




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Cedar-clad shipping container becomes architect's home office

This architect converted a shipping container to accommodate an expanding office.




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Shipping industry cracks down on plastic waste

Of all the places to take action on marine litter, this one makes the most sense.




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True Studio is a 162 sq. ft. modern shipping container home

This cozy and compact dwelling out of Oregon packs one bed, one bathroom, a kitchen and porch.




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Industrial spaces and condos are neighbors in this Vancouver development with shipping container look

Another look at a controversial housing project.




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Everywhere you look, the urban-rural divide is changing politics and stopping climate action

Populist leaders are more interested in cutting the price of gas than they are in stopping climate change.




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We're losing the sound of crickets chirping in the summer

With crickets in decline, some scientists say that the insects' summer crooning may become a thing of the past.




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An organic diet rapidly reduces pesticide exposure

When four American families switched to all-organic diets for a week, the results were dramatic.




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Spiral stair is sleek and "sustainable".

Norwegian architect Tron Meyer cuts a stair out of solid engineered wood.




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Strap this spiral staircase onto any tree, no tools needed

Want to get quickly into the tree canopy? This modular set of stairs can be quickly and easily wrapped around any tree, without doing damage to the trunk.




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Stair of the week is a DIY spiral made out of plywood

It seems that these days you can build just about anything with a CNC machine.




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Stair of the week is a spectacular spiral

And believe it or not, it's environmentally friendly!




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NASA mission reveals beautiful swirling gases on Jupiter (Video)

These incredible images sent back by the Juno spacecraft gives us a detailed look at Jupiter.




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Why this newly discovered pink dwarf planet is so exciting

Nicknamed 'Farout' by the team that discovered it, the celestial object is some 11,160,000,000 miles away.




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Microgenerators Inside Water Pipes to Power Smart Water Sensors

Using the flow of water inside the pipes to power the water network's own monitoring devices could eliminate the need for batteries in those systems.




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Despite Trump, US coal and gas generation down—renewables up

The war on coal, it seems, may be ongoing, no matter who's in charge in Washington.




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As emissions spike, VW announces an end to oil-powered cars

The timeline needs some work. But this is a start...




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Turkana Woman Fights Ethiopia, Kenya Dam Project in the Already Arid, Conflict-Prone Region

"The Ministry of Energy has insisted that they need this energy. What we are questioning is—how was the agreement reached, what is the cost of purchasing this power?"




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Not your typical lion encounter

A vagrant Cape Sea Lion that made a record trip to Kenya is rescued from a fisherman’s gillnet.




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Hawaii molasses spill killing thousands of fish & aquatic life, impact could last years.

On Monday, a molasses pipeline (yes, that's a thing!) leaked 1,400 tons -- 233,000 gallons -- of molasses into Hawaii's Honolulu Harbor and it has turned into a killer mess with no quick solution.




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25,000+ fish killed by Hawaii molasses spill

Last week, 233,000 gallons of molasses spilled into Hawaii's Honolulu Harbor killing thousands of fish, eels, crabs and other aquatic life. And the damage continues to worsen.




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Scientists happily surprised to find truffles free of Chernobyl radiation

Mushrooms and game meat in European regions where Chernobyl fallout was most intense still have excess radiation, but Burgundy truffles get the green light; foodies rejoice.




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On MNN: Bikes stopping for red lights! And other reporting from Copenhagen

Also a look at smart phones for boomers and for refugees, and making the Raspberry Pi higher.




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On MNN: Airplane! Pi! Hello Computer!

and the last job on earth.




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Dolphins pre-plan their grocery shopping

These coolest of sea creatures know what they're doing.




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Mussels test positive for opioids and chemo drugs

Over the course of three months, previously clean mussels picked up a slew of contaminants from the waters of Puget Sound.




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Farmed salmon isn't naturally pink or red

If it weren't for an added colorant, it would be grey or white like most of the other fish on display at the store.




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Are We Drowning in Dystopias?

Images via Cop15 opening film 'Please Help The World' This is the first in a series of guest posts by journalist and climate change communications strategist Ella Saltmarshe When we think about the future of the world, it's mostly bad. I'm not sure when




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The 20 happiest countries on the planet

The numbers are in for the World Happiness Report 2017; who wins this year's crown of contentment? Think of it as a love letter to Scandinavia.




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Finland is offering free trips to people in need of happiness lessons

For three days this summer, a local host could show you why their country consistently ranks among the happiest in the world.




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Amazon has been shipping expired food to customers

Beef jerky, coffee creamer, and baby formula have all shown up well past their expiry date, threatening consumer healthy and angering brands.




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The John Hope Gateway is a pioneer in modern wood construction

What a joy to stumble upon this 2009 gem by Cullinan Studio.




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Get warm and cozy with 10 ethical fall fashion picks

From sweaters to wraps to plush leggings, these casual and comfortable pieces will keep you toasty all autumn long.




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Flat-packed planters, firepits, portable BBQs, and tables require no tools for assembly

In stark contrast to other flat-pack furniture designs, Groovebox is meant to be as simple to put together as possible, with no fasteners, tools, or mammoth assembly instructions needed.




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Plús Hús is a Scandinavian inspired, 320 sq. ft. flat packed prefab home

Made right in downtown Los Angeles, this prefab unit is made with an innovative recyclable and recycled panel system.




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Fuselage is a flat pack cabin inspired by airplane design

Sleek and easy to assemble, this portable cabin offers a comfortable place to stay even in remote places.




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Photo: Sea and sky conspire in beauty

Our photo of the day shows Mother Nature's flair for drama.




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Does a full moon really inspire more crime?

Researchers look into whether the 'lunar effect' is based on superstition or empirical data.




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Greenpeace releases the Canned Tuna Shopping Guide for 2015

Learn which brands should be avoided and which are making a sincere effort to provide ocean-safe options, then vote with your wallet.




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SOAK in a shipping container spa in San Francisco

It's all about healthy hedonism, where sustainability meets socialbility.




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Invasive fish may get their own dystopian nightmare

Scientists find that scary fish robots can quickly stress invasive fish species into reduced reproduction.




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Charming tiny house to benefit kids' hospitals is up for auction (Video)

Designed and built by architecture students, the proceeds of this lovely little home will go to help children's hospitals.




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Norwegian hospitals add woodland cabins and forest-play for healing

The Outdoor Care Retreats let nature give a valuable boost in creating a respite from the sterile and stringent hospital environment.




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Hospital food could be so much better than it is

Food is a powerful healer, which is why hospitals should reconsider how they feed patients.




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Artist Decapitates Recycled Stuffed Toys to Make Stunning, Psychedelic Rugs

Don't let artist Agustina Woodgate -- who says stuffing is "like looking into the soul" -- near your favourite stuffed teddy bear.




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Edible Garden Sprouts from Plastic Waste in Ethiopia

Artist Kebreab Demeke's colorful, functional sculpture is among around a dozen projects examining the meaning of 'the good life' on display at an exhibition in Berlin.




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Thai Artist Looks for Happiness in a Bowl of Rice

Bangkok-based artist Nino Sarabutra investigates what really makes people happy, and how much money is needed to live a good life.




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Prestigious Prix Pictet Photography Competition Winner is Luc Delahaye

It's the most prestigious photography prize (and best paid) and here's this year's winner.




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Epicures gathered in France for Bug & Wine pairing

For the first time ever, insects took the place of cheese at an upscale gastronomical event.




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Photo: Caterpillar impersonates plant

Our photo of the day illustrates the whimsical world of camouflage.