Crazy Ideas That Might Help Save The World

Environmental wellness and wellbeing should be at the forefront of all of our minds. The planet simply cannot keep on in the way that it is currently going, otherwise we are going to run out of resources fairly soon.

 

When it comes to saving the environment, we should be willing to try anything, even some of the wackier ideas. We’ve collected together some of the strangest environment-saving thoughts that have been had in recent months.

 

Firstly, astronomer Roger Angel wants to give the Earth a big pair of sunglasses. The scientist says that we should build a 10,000-square mile solar sunshade, made from sixteen trillion glass disks, and place this between the planet and the sun. He says that this would reduce the harmful warming effect that the sun has on our planet by around two percent. Various other researchers have suggested a similar solution, such as creating a ring of sunlight-scattering particles all around the equator, by firing little pieces of reflective materials (such as glass) into space. The cost for this project would be a little more than a pair of sunglasses: somewhere around $350 trillion.

 

Another scientist, Peter Eisenberger, wants to use algae to start getting rid of carbon dioxide, the air pollution that comes from burning fossil fuels. The team tested this by floating certain types of algae in water, and then injecting CO2 into the water. The algae absorbed the gas, and even grew twice as fast as a result.

 

A third scientist would like to float the whole of New York on the water. Architect Vincent Callebaut has designed the Lilypad project, a conceptual island which (in theory) can accommodate 50,000 people and float on the ocean, suing solar, thermal, wind and tidal energies to create electricity.

Categories: Algae, environment, Ideas, nbsp, planet, scientist, Water

All About Algae: Why Are Celebrities Turning to “Greens”?

Ever since everyone went wacko for wheatgrass, complementary wellness experts have been trying to create new concoctions of green sludge that promise astonishing benefits to your wellbeing. Now, you can give yourself a wellness boost with “greens” – supplements derived from nutrient-packed plants and organisms, found in liquid, powder, pill or capsule form.

There are two categories of “greens”. The first is land-grown leaves and grasses, such as wheatgrass, barley-grass and kale. These are particularly good sources of vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Then you have algaes, such as spirulina, chlorella and kelp. You’d take these if you want a high dose of good fats and protein, as well as magnesium and a host of vitamins and minerals. Celebrity fans of greens include Victoria Beckham, Gwenyth Paltrow, and Australian model Miranda Kerr. In fact, sales of one brand has rocketed 60% in Britain since model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley tweeted a picture of herself drinking a juice cocktail containing chlorella.

Nutritional therapist Ian Marber tells his clients to take a supplement combining several greens, and even does so himself. ‘With so many foods available to us, we are very rarely deficient in essential nutrients,’ he says. But that’s not to say that we couldn’t benefit from a little more of this or that. I use it in place of multivitamins. These ‘edible pond scums’ are not chemical, and that means the body can absorb them more easily. They are good all-rounders and many of them contain probiotic bacteria.’

According to dietician Lucy Jones, ‘We’ve known for a long time that they pack a punch in nutritional terms. But more research is needed into their specific benefits before we can justify their cost. Green supplements are extremely expensive. Their protein content is no better than that of milk or meat, but is about 30 times more expensive. Better sources of protein, as well as all the other vitamins and minerals they contain, can be found elsewhere at a far better price. So if you’re shopping for a supergreen supplement, I’d advise you pick a mixed one, or, better yet, ask yourself whether your money wouldn’t be better spent in the fruit and vegetable aisle.’

Categories: Algae, celebrities, greens