Environment

January 4, 2017

Ingenious Bowl-Shaped Roof Collects Rainwater to Provide Natural Cooling

Based out of Tehran, BMDesign Studios is used to facing complex issues that come with living in an arid environment. With precipitation one-third of the world average, and evaporation three times higher, the firm has devised a double-roof system to solve the water scarcity problem. The Concave Roof consists of an elegant, bowl-shaped structure atop a domed roof.

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December 13, 2016

Mermaid Swims in a Sea of 10,000 Bottles to Spotlight Plastic Pollution

Photographer Benjamin Von Wong is an expert at turning his creativity into a project with a larger purpose. His activism continues with a new series that highlights the impact of plastic pollution. Mermaids Hate Plastic exemplifies how art can be used to highlight broader issues. Von Wong began the journey by thinking about a way to make the “boring” topic of plastic pollution into something eye-catching and dynamic.

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July 28, 2016

Biologist Single-Handedly Repopulates a Rare Species of Butterfly in His Backyard

The California pipevine swallowtail butterfly was once suffering a fate that so many creatures face—the loss of its habitat in San Francisco was causing their population to decline. But thanks to one man’s DIY efforts, the iridescent blue-winged insect is flourishing again. California Academy of Sciences aquatic biologist Tim Wong single-handedly revived the flailing species by building a home for them in his backyard.

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April 4, 2016

Stunning Photos Illustrate the Diverse Beauty of Greenland’s Natural Landscape

With over three-quarters of its land covered by the only permanent ice sheet outside of Antarctica, Greenland may not be the first place to pop into your mind when you think of “vacation,” but a gorgeous Flickr photostream by nonprofit organization Visit Greenland just might make you book your next flight to the former Danish province. Called “the Land of Great Length,” Greenland is the world's largest island and least densely populated territory.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.