Monday, January 14, 2013

Futuristic highways in Netherlands "Glow in the Dark" - Video

A futuristic highway that can save energy and improve road safety is set
to be installed in the Netherlands by mid-2013. Two companies, Studio
Roosegaarde and Heijmans Infrastructure, came up with the highway, which
includes: glow-in-the-dark road markings painted with photo-luminescent
paint which are charged during the day and light up during the night;
temperature-responsive paint which indicates slippery roads when
temperatures fall below zero; and interactive lights along the highway
that light up as cars approach. Wind lights that light up using the
draft produced by cars and priority induction lanes that can recharge
electric cars as they run along them also feature.

The luminous road markings and weather indicating roads will debut in
the Dutch province of Brabant in the middle of next year. The wind
powered and interactive lights along with the induction lanes are also
planned to go into service in the next years.

Acid Test: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification - Documentary

Acid Test: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification is a groundbreaking NRDC documentary, whcih explores the startling phenomenon of ocean acidification, which may soon challenge marine life on a scale not seen for tens of millions of years. The film, featuring Sigourney Weaver, originally aired on Discovery Planet Green.
Pollution from carbon dioxide is causing an increase in ocean acidity. In fact, our oceans have absorbed a quarter of all carbon dioxide emissions produced by burning fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution. As a result, our oceans’ acidity levels have increase by 30%. Conditions like these have not existed since the extinction of the dinosaurs.
What does this mean to us and the marine species that inhabit our oceans? Will ocean species be able to adapt? How can we stop the rise of ocean acidity? Acid Test explores these issues, then reveals how to take action today to stop the creation of an uninhabitable ocean.