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New U.S. Climate Change Study is a drastic warning. Will President Trump listen now?

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polar bear sinking dying from global warming

Following US president Donald Trump’s announcement that his country will pull out of the Paris climate change agreement, scientists and governments the world over have been wondering if agreed goals of reduced world temperatures are now attainable. This apprehension is particularly high in the Middle East, where summertime temperatures in countries like Iraq now surpass 50 degrees Celsius; and crazy heat domes in the Arabian Gulf region will mean no one can live there by 2100.

An August 7 New York Times article referred to a recent scientific report,  warning that global temperatures have been rising steadily since the 1980’s; and that Americans are “feeling the effects of climate change right now” .The report, compiled by scientists from 13 federal agencies appears to be contrary to opinions stated by both President Trump and members of his cabinet, including the Environment Secretary, Scott Pruitt. Pruitt, formerly the Oklahoma Attorney General, is himself an advocate of fossil fuels as a major energy source. A draft of the report, says that “evidence for a changing climate abounds, from the top of the atmosphere to the depths of the oceans”.

The report, which was endorsed by some of America’s top scientific entities, including the National Academy of Science, notes that even a small increase in global temperatures will make a big difference in global climate. A difference in global temperatures of between 1.5 and 2 degress Celcius can result in more intense heat waves, more violent storms; and further destruction of coral reefs (vital to preservation of ocean marine life).

While the report said that linking prolonged droughts in parts of the USA are still difficult to link to human influence, it did indicate that “more then half the global temperature increase since 1951 can be linked to human causes. This “human influence” may now be what is causing such phenomenoms as the above mentioned “crazy heat domes” in the Middle East.

Scientists who were involved in compiling data for the report are now afraid that the Trump Administration may either try to alter the findings of the report or keep them under wraps altogether. This is especially true when issues of national security seem to be now drawing most of the attention in the White House. If the report is not taken seriously by President Trump and his cabinet, it will only be a matter of time before issues of climate change will become those of national security as well.

More articles on climate change and its impact worldwide

Are UN sponsored climate change goals attainable?

Will U.S. leaving Paris climate change agreement adversely affect the Middle East?

The sixth mass global extinction has arrived

Could ‘fridge selfies’ shame us into less food waste?

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food wasteNew tech hitting the British market next month could be a game-changer in the behaviors behind Western food waste. FridgeCam is a wireless camera from UK smart kitchen company Smarter that you stick inside your fridge.  It takes in-fridge snapshots every time you close the door, allowing users to check their food stock in real time. The system can help households slash food waste by nipping overpurchasing and encouraging timely use of what’s already been bought.

Groomless bride incites all the (Saudi) single ladies!

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Esraa Al-HaganPressure on women to marry young is not unique to the Middle East, but in this region, once a woman turns 25 she is commonly considered past her sell-by date. A Saudi woman defied peer pressure by publicly celebrating her singleness, and – with her story spiraling on social media – her online exposure may just get her hitched.

The Crawford Hotel in Denver is the bees knees

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Denver Union Station, July 9, 2014. Photo by Ellen Jaskol

I had 4 days in Denver for work mainly, but some fun too, and I wanted to experience the pulse of the city. I strive for authentic experiences in every new city I visit and while AirBnB can be a great option to meet locals, sometimes you want your privacy and not risk the unknowns by staying at another’s private house. What is it that makes any city magical? What are its people made from? Some of these things you can only feel.

It was my first time in Denver after being in Aspen for a week and I wanted to get to the pulse of the city. I found that The Crawford Hotel built out of the city’s old Union Station is the best way to stay in a hotel, yet feel part of the city.

A short half hour train ride from the airport, The Crawford is in the center of it all. But it’s in no way typical, presenting itself as a boutique hotel, with rare corners, unique art and staircases, and people all around you. Because let’s face it, how many times have you been in a hotel in any-city and feel that you are anywhere and nowhere? Not The Crawford.

Get off the train at the end of the line to Denver and in 20 steps you are walking through the front door of the old station. Walk to the left, past a cafe and old tables and benches, and you reach the “lobby” a small outpost that modestly shields the staff from the bustle of a revived old train station, now a cultural hub connecting people from all walks of life, locals and tourists, to local beer, local coffee and local merchandise.

I was drawn to a few things. First was the beehive that the hotel keeps on the roof. It says something about management, about their values, that they would invest time in keeping bees. The hotel gave us a personal tour, along with showing us the inside of the roof and the large clock, and we loved every second of it.

John-Mark, the operations director for the hotel told me that “bees are vegan lovers who love to cuddle in the winter,” and that getting stung is a “cosmic inevitability” when you work with them. I felt at home in body and spirit.

I also really loved that the lobby of the hotel is a meeting space for all kinds of people. Newcomers like me, city folk coming to grab a bite at a favorite and long-lined diner (order reservation a day in advance at least); we met rich folk, homeless folk, and in general just a good healthy vibe. Hearts connected. But it’s not too busy, not too quiet.

I also appreciated all the small things in the loft room I stayed in: the coffee machine, the chocolate, the slippers and robe brought out at night, and all the shampoos and creams in the shower and bathroom. Everything smelled fresh, not synthetic, unique but not wild, natural and refreshing.

When it comes to getting around, the hotel offers an electric car shuttle within a 2-mile radius, but anything I wanted to do, like dine at Kimbal Musk’s The Kitchen restaurant, was just a short and happy walk away. With great weather outside, street music and festivals hitting the city when I was there, like the Little People of America, Denver has a feeling of a new city becoming something great, still defining itself. The Crawford fits perfectly into this impression or vision, offering you a sweet taste and gateway into that newness.

The hotel declares: “Our luxury Denver hotel accommodations are designed to give guests everything they need and nothing they don’t.”

I agree!

::The Crawford

 

Plan Your Travel Budget – Choose a Travel Credit Card Smartly

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eco-tourism, travel, revolution, desert, Egypt, Cairo

When you go on a vacation, and hopefully it will be one that treads light on this planet, be sure to have a credit card at hand to pay for your purchases in an easy and fast way. Gold coins are definitely in the past and carrying around traveller’s checks or cash isn’t safe.

Of course, you may plan your budget and take cash with you, but it is quite difficult to calculate all your expenses for your trip beforehand. In this case, a credit card will become a heaven-sent opportunity for you. No matter what country you go to and how many days you are going to stay there, we strongly advise you to have a plastic in your wallet. Note that far from every credit card is good to be used in a travel, and there is a range of criteria you are to consider when deciding what plastic to take with you on a trip.

airplane sunset biofuel qatar airways

Selecting a travel credit card proposed by effectify financial service it is necessary to take into account the following things:

  • ATM bank fee – to assure no extra commission in charged from your banking account, check its service policies. It is also important to specify how much the bank will charge for withdrawal of money in a different country. Commissions vary for one bank to another and may be in a form of a certain percentage or a predefined amount.
  • Bank partnership programs – your bank may have some “partner” banks in a country of your destination. They will charge less. Therefore, it is advised to specify what these banks are.
  • Discount programs – all the banks offer different discount programs to their clients. For example, you can get some points or a gift for paying with a credit card in a shop. Some airlines offer great discounts on air tickets purchased with a specific type of a credit card. So if you want to save money, check all these promotions and discount programs beforehand.
  • Currency exchange rate – if you are going to a country with a currency different from yours, it is necessary to think about currency change rate. The thing is that you risk losing a lot of money on a simple currency change transaction.

According to the Huffington post statistics, a total of 66,960,943 Americans traveled outside the country in 2016. And one of the popular destinations was Europe, with almost 12 thousand Americans heading to the U.K., Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Denmark. These numbers again prove how much it is important to plan the financial factor of your trip to avoid unnecessary expenses and charges.

The basics of green architecture

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green architecture sustainable buildings

Many people want to make a difference by designing homes of the future more in tune with the planet. This infographic offers a clear breakdown for architects on of ways you can build homes of the future so they are more in tune with the needs of Mother Nature.

Presented by Avanti Systems USA

Ways to say an eco friendly goodbye to your books

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We have all seen numerous mails and social media posts campaigning against the extensive cutting of trees for paper. While most of us take this as a joke and wish to ban exams at the thought of it, there is something more serious in the picture. Books and exams are an integral portion of every human’s life. We are what we know and hence the importance of books cannot be undermined.

Censorship, Alexandria, Egypt, Nabi Daniel Bookstores

The environment is getting destroyed with each of our actions. While bringing about a collective movement may seem tough, we can all do our bit for the environment. Fourteen years of education equips each of us with a tone of books. What do we usually decide to do with it? Stack them in a corner and then seldom look at them again. They become the breeding house for bacteria and fungus of all sorts. Not only are we breeding a home ground for infections but also saying no to a major environmental transformation.

If you want to do your bit for the environment and are wondering how to do it, your search ends here. Here we have a list of ways in which you can say an eco friendly goodbye to your books.

  • Recycle your books: Recycled paper can be used to make all sorts of things. From being used to make clothes, an easier alternative is using them to create more paper. This is a wonderful way to work in opposition of cutting trees to make paper. Every city today has recycling mills that are looking for book donors. You can easily reach out to them and say an eternal goodbye to your books. Not only will it be better than stacking them but also ensure they are being put to good use.
  • Sell books online: This is another great way to put your books to use and earn some money. Booksrun.com is an amazing online platform that allows you to sell your books online. The entire process is extremely simple and hassle free and should be given a serious thought. The books are reused by the website in various ways. They are open to accepting books across domains and subjects. Be it your child’s kindergarten books or course books from your masters course, there’s place for everything on the website.
  • Giving away books to charity: How many times have we tried to bring about a change in the society but failed because we lacked direction? Here’s a chance for you to undo your actions. You can contribute by funding a child’s education with your old books. Not only will this give you a good sense of reality but definitely bring a fairytale ending to your old books.

If you have a huge stack of books and are indecisive as to what to do with them, here are a few eco-friendly tips. A tree saved is a tree planted. Go ahead and do your bit for the environment by putting your old books to great use.

Waze saves wild lives

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When hightech startups are created they are not usually done to create societal impact, but when they are willing can have a great impact in unforeseen ways.  In an effort to reduce the staggering number of wild animals that are run over on Israel’s roads every year, The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) joined forces with Waze towards the end of 2016 to encourage drivers to report roadkill incidents via the popular community-based traffic and navigation app.

Over the last six months, SPNI has compiled the data from more than 12,000 user-generated reports and utilized this information to develop a map detailing which Israeli roadways are most dangerous to the country’s wild animals.

After filtering out urban roads and streets that pass through built-up areas, SPNI has determined that Route 2, the coastal highway from Tel Aviv to Haifa, and Route 6, the trans-Israel highway, have the highest number of roadkill incidents with more than 700 reported sightings each. Some of this roadkill can include much loved pets, like cats and dogs.

“We are currently studying the data from several areas where unusually high levels of roadkill have been observed, and we are examining roads that cross authorized ecological corridors, such as Route number 70/75, east of the Carmel Mountain,” said Shmulik Yedvab, Director of SPNI’s Mammals Center. 

“The information streaming in from Waze users is an invaluable resource throughout this process and it illustrates the severity of the problem of wildlife run-overs.”

Over the last several years, the increasing awareness regarding the difficulty and risks roads pose to wild animals led planners to build special passages for animals when constructing new roads or expanding and upgrading old roads, but there are still no solutions on many of the roads now determined to be Israel’s most dangerous for wildlife and escaped or homeless cats and dogs.  It is for this reason that SPNI’s campaign with Waze continues to be so crucial for wildlife conservation.

“We call on the public to increase its cooperation with this project and provide SPNI with the additional data required to assist us in formulating the optimal action plan towards reducing roadkill and saving Israel’s wildlife,” added Yedvab.

The public can ensure the continued success of this important campaign by being vigilant about reporting roadkill and encouraging their friends to do the same.  And of course by keeping pets like cats and dogs on a leash when out hiking. After clicking the circular orange report icon within the Waze app, users should select the yellow triangular “Hazard” symbol, followed by “On road” and “Roadkill.”

The accumulated data collected by SPNI thus far was presented for the first time at a session of the Knesset Science Committee on June 20, headed by MK Uri Maklev. Initiated by SPNI, the session focused on the subject of using technological tools and methods to assist nature preservation activities and safeguard the environment and Israeli nature.

Now keep animals everywhere safe!

Drinkable Air makes water from thin air

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drinkable air
International Water Symposium, January 2016; .9993 % purity rating

If you can provide the energy required to light one 100-watt light bulb for a day, you can generate 3 litres of water from the air in most locales around the world: that’s the promise of Drinkable Air, Inc. Based in South Florida, the company builds a series of scalable water-from-air machines that take air anywhere and convert it into drinkable water.

This is a much-needed alternative to massive energy- and capital-intensive desalination systems that require access to the sea. Drinkable Air is welcomed in communities in the Middle East where water is scarce, by rural music festival organizers with water needs for specific events, and even by regional utility companies looking to shift power demand to off-peak hours.

drinkable air
Michael Bourgon at Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, Dubai, UAE

There is water everywhere waiting to be harvested, says Michael Bourgon of Drinkable Air, based in Toronto. “Do you know that there are quadrillions of litres of water sitting in the air at any one time? Water is a gas. There is always humidity and there is always some water in the air. Our trick is to turn that gas into a liquid,” Michael explains. “We need to cool it, which is just what happens when it rains.

How it works

drinkable air
Drinkable Air in Panama

In the same way rain is made, Drinkable Air’s water generators pump air onto a cold surface called a condenser, which then turns it into liquid droplets inside the machine, the way a dehumidifier works. Next, Drinkable Air machines clean the water and enrich it with needed minerals for human consumption. And voila – fresh water.

Water, like oxygen, is a basic necessity we hardly consider in most regions in the United States and Canada, but when you live in the Middle East, North Africa, or Asia, it can be more precious than oil. Lack of water is why there are currently four major ongoing famines on the African continent. It is also the reason why conflict areas like Syria and Iraq are so hostile.

Of course, fossil-fuel rich countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates can turn energy into water through desalination. But when desalination is not feasible, Drinkable Air can fill the void.

“Our main goal is to quench thirst,” says Michael. “We are also motivated to provide a commercial product that will solve big issues in the world.”

Drinkable Air products are currently installed in 38 countries around the globe, including the Middle East, Gulf Cooperating Countries (GCC), Africa, and Asia.

drinkable air

With Sky News Arabia WETEX, Dubai, October 2016Custom sizes for any needs

The Drinkable Air systems are designed to produce as little as 10 litres a day (hotel room use) to ones that can generate thousands of litres of water a day – suitable for a village or industrial plant.

The smallest size unit the Chameleon 4 was first commissioned by the director of the Rotana Hotels in Abu Dhabi who wanted a solution that would cut down on plastic consumption. The same type of system is getting a lot of attention in India, where municipal water will never be clean in some people’s lifetimes, says Michael.

Bahrain with HE Dr. Abdul Hussain Ali Mirza, Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs

Money Savings

To do the basic math, in most cases it costs but 1/8 of a kilowatt-hour for every liter of water produced. In a first world country that’s about 3 cents per litre of drinkable water.

“Apart from the money saved on the water itself,” the reduction in packaging is a significant savings as well – about three liters of water are used to make a half liter bottle,” says Michael.

He notes, that money saved on water is equal to the cost per liter, CAPEX, spare parts and power is about thirteen cents US a litre; which compares that to a 250 ml bottle of Dasani water at $2 US, the cost per litre is $8 US.

One Satisfied Customer

Amy Lee Grant, the American singer married to country singer-songwriter Vince Gill, is a happy customer. Every summer Grant invites dozens of campers, summer staff, and volunteers to come together at Barefoot Republic Camp, representing 40 different ethnicities to her 450-acre farm in Nashville. The natural well water is contaminated with sulphur and one and all rely on Drinkable Air produced water to meet their needs.

drinkable air
Jeff Szur (Drinkable Air Sales VP) and Amy Grant at Barefoot Republic Farm with Chameleon 60 unit.

Green Key

Drinkable Air recently announced the corporate partnership of Green Key Global and Drinkable Air, Inc. Green Key participants in the hospitality industry are present in more than 50 countries around the world, with 2,600 establishments in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, East Asia, Mexico and the Caribbean. The numbers continue to grow each year. Significant partners include the Starwood and Carlson hotel groups.

Green Key is awarded based on a standard set of international minimum criteria, and based on a standardised application and award process. The new Green Key criteria 2016-2020 are recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Demand Response for Power

Drinkable Air is also working on water production programs with major US power utilities using demand response processes.

Many jurisdictions around the world are utilizing demand response programs. Demand response (DR) essentially encourages a consumer to use power when it is most available (weekends, nights) and rewards the consumer for their co-operation in voluntary rationing (reduced tariffs, rebates, optimized product offerings).

Drinkable Air’s products produce the most water between dusk and dawn. They use the most power when making water (compressor and condenser operational) and little power when cooling, purifying and dispensing water.

The plan is simple: deploy units in an urban environment and remotely control (via the internet) the water making function, turning it ‘on’ when power is most abundant and cheapest and the machine is most efficient.

Consumer benefits include being able to drink the best water in the world, enjoying a reduction in cost for that potable water in the home, the convenience of not having to lug around jugs or bottles of water, no more need for expensive water purifier applications, and contributing to the environment by reducing the use of plastic and municipal resources.

“The end-user enjoys a better tasting and higher quality product, with no need to waste plastic bottles,” says Michael.

But we can’t help wondering – with all that water coming out of the air, can the local climate be changed near a Drinkable Air system?

Nope: “Nature abhors a vacuum,” says Michael. “The amount of water you are removing, even if you multiply by thousands, nature will take care of, and fill in the vacuum right away. Nothing to worry about.”

We can all drink to that.

Be in touch with Michael to do business: [email protected]

::Drinkable Air website

FACTOIDS ON WATER!

  • Nearly 1 billion people live without accessible drinkable water
  • 5 billion live without adequate sanitation
  • 440 million school days lost due to no water
  • 220 million hours each day are spent collecting water
  • 7 miles walked each day by women and children to gather water
  • 4,100 children under five die each day from preventable water-related illness
  • 4 million people die each year from preventable water-related disease

Are UN sponsored climate change goals attainable?

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The ravaging effects of global warming and climate change appear to be rocking on unabated. These include monster typhoons and other adverse weather patterns; and severe Middle East drought conditions that NASA says to be “the worst in 900 years”. The important issue now is what the major world bodies can do to slow down the affects of global warming, which is causing Arctic ice to melt even faster than previously estimated. The result is ‘rocking’ world weather.

UN efforts concerning Climate Change

The United Nations or the UN for short is the world’s largest international peace organization, and its activities includes combating Climate Change as number 13 on its 17 Goals to Transform our World.

Although other sustainability goals have higher priorities, combating the ravages of climate change was particularly pointed out during a recent visit to the UN’s headquarters in New York City. There, it was shown that human caused depletion of our planet’s environment, especially over-use of fossil fuels and destruction of the world’s rain forests, are causing global warming to increase at an even faster rate. A chart displayed near the entrance to the UN General Assembly hall shows that while large sums of money are spent by member countries on armaments, over $22 billion US daily, only a small percentage of national budgets is spent by these countries on projects promoting peace; including helping to preserve the environment.

Following US President Donald Trump’s rejection of America’s participation in the Paris Climate Change Agreement, many are wondering if agreed climate change goals are still attainable, due to the US administration’s desire to pull out of the agreement. The Paris agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016. All participating countries agree to work toward limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius; and “given the grave risks, to strive for 1.5 degrees Celsius.”

On the other hand, we wonder, is the UN really doing anything meaningful but organizing elaborating big events where there is a lot of talk but not a lot of action?

Even without America’s participation (which will only formally take effect in about 4 years), virtually all the other signers to this agreement, including China, Russia, Japan, and the EU, pledge to do their share to implement it. Will this be enough though, as use of fossil fuels continues worldwide; particularly due to lower oil and natural gas prices?

The Middle East, being the largest collective world supplier of crude oil, is still delaying cut downs on oil production, largely due to economic concerns. With this in mind, are oil producing Middle East countries like the UAE, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and others really concerned about improving climate change caused drought and other conditions now ravaging their lands? Keep tuned in to find out.

Photo Global Challenges by World Universities Network

5 tips to keep your dog happy, healthy and feeling loved

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You see it all over the TV and sometimes even in your own neighborhood, dogs that are being subject to abuse and neglect that they should never have to go through. The point is, if you are going to have a dog as a pet then you need to do everything in your power to keep your pet happy, healthy and feeling loved. There are several ways to do all of these things for your pet, the easiest being to spend time with your pup on a daily basis in order to give him the attention he needs and deserves. With that in mind, read on below for a few of the top tips to help you keep your pooch happy, healthy, and feeling loved.

Proper Nutrition

There is more to proper nutrition than making sure your dog gets food and water every day. Yes, these things are extremely important, but the type of food you give your pet is important as well. You want to feed your dog a food that is high in quality and full of healthy ingredients. If you are using the correct dog food for your pet, you will be able to see the difference in their coat, increased energy, and easier digestion. There are also supplements for dogs available that can help make sure your pet is getting the proper nutrition as well.

Preventative Care

One of the best ways to care for the dog you love is by preventing anything from happening to him to begin with. This means regular trips to the vet for checkups and dental cleanings. However, that’s not all you can do to keep your pet healthy and happy. Make sure to always have a collar and a tag on your pet, just in case he gets lost and make sure to keep him away from busy roads and animals that could end up hurting him.

Love and Attention

The easiest responsibility a pet owner has is providing love and attention to the dog that they have adopted and vowed to take care of. It’s not hard to set aside at least a few minutes a day to play with your pet. Whether it’s ball in the front yard, a walk around the neighborhood, or just some snuggle time on the couch, love and attention are the number one ways to keep your pet healthy, happy, and feeling loved.

Know the Signs

If you know your dog well, then you will have no problem knowing the signs that something is wrong. If your pup has less of an appetite or seems to have less energy than normal, it’s time to make an appointment with his vet for a checkup. There may be nothing wrong at all, but it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your dog’s health.

Provide Adequate Space

Whether your pup is an inside dog or an outside dog, adequate space is important to keep him happy and comfortable. Make sure that their bedding is properly cushioned, comfortable, and has plenty of space for them to turn around when they are trying to rest. Make sure that their bedding is also clean and dry. For outside dogs, a doghouse with proper bedding is a must.

These are just a few of the top tips that you can follow to make sure your dog is healthy, happy and feeling loved all the time. From dog supplements to dry bedding and from preventative care to love and attention, your dog will thank you and love you forever.

Travelling to Dubai? Vlugzee’s got an app for that

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Dubai Globe Jumpers

Ah, Dubai. You are so new, and with such ancient traditions of your people at the same time. How does a visitor jump right into the swing of things, when they come to visit Dubai? How do you visit the astonishing architecture sites like the Burj Khalifa and the rest of the skyscraper lined sky? Or the Dubai Fountain, or the artificial islands or the Dubai nightlife? Or the solar energy projects? Or the Globe Jumpers in action?

There are also parties and events sponsored by racing companies, and even local events to celebrate fairtrade and local crafts. There’s an app for that – Vlugzee. It’s like a trip advisor to Dubai with thousands of articles that help you explore the Emirate with purpose, and like a local. To use it right, download the app on iOS or Google Play to get the best results.

Most of us have travelled somewhere for the first time. I really hate that learning curve and try to download as many apps as I can to learn about the local customs and traditions. Want a spa, a massage or just some R&R after your travels by 4X4 Jeep in the deserts of Dubai? Find it on Vlugzee

Until further notice Vlugzee is %100 ads-free so forget about those pop-ups. 

New Toshiba printer uses erasable toner

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The Japanese electronics giant Toshiba has just developed a new kind of printer that makes it easy for us to use the same paper over again. Their erasable toner allows one sheet of paper to be reused 5 times, slashing paper usage by 80%.

Their printer on the market this past June can fax (important in Japan and Israel!), scan and copy documents, and its erasable blue toner section also includes a special unit that can remove the toner from the paper. Hurray!

Erasing the toner works much in the same way as erasable pens where heat and pressure removes the toner on a page that has been printed. It’s a great feature for a quick printout of emails and drafts. I know I like to read hard copies of drafts to find spelling and grammar mistakes. But I also know I am just going to throw it in the trash just after using it.

The device will reduce the cost of paper usage. And while the device is not a new concept to Toshiba, this one may work. In 2013 they released a product that could erase paper but needed customers to buy 2 additional devices in order for it to work.

In a statement, Bret Davies, general manager of Toshiba Australia and New Zealand’s electronic imaging division, said that “Toshiba has recognised that staff are more environmentally conscious, but with productivity pressures, need to be able to print quickly and effortlessly without the need to be away from their desks for too long.”

“Combining the erasable printing technology into one device makes this unique technology more accessible to businesses and gives users time saving benefits, particularly in smaller offices that often have space constraints,” added Davies.

3D-printed-fashion-Danit-Peleg

Similarly in paper, rapid prototyping of devices means repeated circuit engineering and circuit replication. While you can’t erase circuitboards and use them again, if they are done smartly in prototype stages you won’t have to design them again for a long time.

Useless eco gadgets you should never waste your money on

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Thanks to rapid proliferation of PCB design tools the world is now being bombarded with an onslaught of useless connected products. We’ve made a short list of gadgets that you should never buy. The planet will thank you.

  1. $400 Wifi-enabled juicer called Juicero. Each juice packet costs $7 and the machine takes several minutes to make your juice. As naysayers have shown, you can just squeeze the packs by hand. Or novel idea…save your money and an app for that and go out and buy some fruit and squeeze it with your hands or a $50 blender. If you really need a machine, then for that price buy a Vitamix. You can make your own juice, flour and ice cream with it. A steal of a deal.
  2. A toaster that burns emojis into your toast? Called a Toasteroid, it’s everything you don’t want on your morning toast, the simplest of pleasures. We can hardly open our eyes in the morning and the last thing we want in the simplest of devices is an app for that! The device can even burn the weather onto your toast. Sigh. We still do finger to the wind.
  3. The Pantelligent Smart Pan tells you when to flip your steak because well, you’ve forgotten how to cook, or did you ever learn? And now, again, there is an app for that. The smarter move would be to buy a food thermometer because while the pan knows its temperature it will never know the temperature inside your food. And who’s eating steak anyway? Aren’t we all vegans already?
  4. Smartmattress is for people who don’t trust their loved ones. It’s a sensor-based mattress that can tell if there are naughty things going on when you are not home. Factors measured? Intensity, velocity and impact per minute. Yikes. In that detail we’d rather not know.
  5. Hapifork for when you eat fast or slow or? Who cares? It won’t let you know if you are eating spaghetti, tofu or lettuce. For that you’d have to ask your brain.

Eco-friendly headscarves (and more!) made from plastic bottles

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fabric made from plastic bottlesIn a recycler’s reinvention of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, a Malaysian manufacturer is crafting eco-friendly fashion from melted and discarded plastic bottles.