globalbriefs


News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.


Solar Harvest New Technology Makes Windows Power Producers


SolarWindow Technologies’ new window coatings are a “first of its kind” technology that could turn the build- ings we live and work in into self-suf- ficient, mini power stations. They can generate electricity on see-through glass and flexible plastics with colored tints popular in skyscraper glass. The coating can be applied to all four sides of tall buildings, generating electricity using natural and artificial


light conditions and even shaded areas. Its organic materials are so ideal for low- cost, high-output manufacturing that the technology is already part of 42 product patent applications.


When applied to windows on towers, it’s expected to generate up to 50 times


the power of conventional rooftop solar systems while delivering 15 times the environmental benefits. For example, a single SolarWindow installation can avoid the amount of carbon emissions produced by vehicles driving about 2.75 million miles per year, compared to 180,000 miles for conventional rooftop systems.


Lost Lands Salinity is Eating Away Farmland Worldwide


Every day for more than 20 years, an average of almost eight square miles of irrigated land in arid and semi-ar- id areas across 75 countries have been degraded by salt, according to the study Economics of Salt-Induced Land Degradation and Restoration, by United Nations University’s Canadi- an-based Institute for Water, Environ- ment and Health. Salt degradation occurs in arid and semi-arid regions where rainfall is too low to maintain regular perco- lation of rainwater through the soil and where irrigation is practiced without a natural or artificial drainage system, which triggers the accumulation of salt in the root zone, affecting soil quality and reducing productivity. In the Colorado River Basin alone, studies peg the annual economic impact of salt-induced land degradation in irrigated areas at $750 million. The cost of investing in preventing and reversing land degradation and restor- ing it to productive land would be far lower than letting degradation continue and intensify. Methods successfully used to facilitate drainage and reverse soil degra- dation include tree planting, deep plowing, cultivation of salt-tolerant varieties of crops, mixing harvested plant residues into topsoil and digging a drain or deep ditch around salt-affected land.


Farm Therapy Veterans Heal Through Agriculture


Of the 19.6 million veterans in the United States alone, approximately 3.6 million have a service-related disability, 7.6 percent are unem- ployed and they collectively make up 13 percent of the adult homeless population, according to the Inde- pendent Voter Network. Organizations worldwide are


helping veterans heal their wounds through farming and agriculture. The goal is to create a sustainable food system by educating them to be sustainable vegetable produc- ers, providing training and helping families rebuild war-torn lives. Eat the Yard, in Dallas, Texas,


was founded by Iraq War veterans James Jeffers and Steve Smith to cultivate fresh produce in commu- nity gardens. The two began organic farming in their own backyards for both therapeutic and financial rea- sons, and then slowly began to build more gardens in their community. They now sell their produce to local restaurants and businesses. The Farmer Veteran Coalition


(FVC) is working with veterans across the U.S. to transition them into agriculture. The coalition partners veterans with mentors experienced in farming and business, matches them with agriculture-related job opportu- nities and organizes equipment dona- tions in Iowa and California. FVC is helping former members of the armed forces in 48 states. Source: FoodTank.com/ news/2014/11/veterans-day


natural awakenings June 2015 11


SolarWindow Technologies, Inc.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32