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The Apocalyptic Landscapes of Alberta’s Oil Sands

"Running to the Gulf of Mexico from Alberta's oil fields, the pipeline would cut through the Great Plains and threaten oil spills into the Oglalla aquifer, the single largest source of fresh water in the United States. Though federal permits haven't yet been granted, landowners on the pipeline's path have been threatened with eminent domain land seizures; the federal review process has been corrupt, steered by oil company executives with insider connections and industry-hired consultants."
via wired.com

 

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0 responses   //   Posted over 1 year ago

Who Lives in the Pyramid atop Seattle’s Smith Tower ?

"The Smith Tower in Seattle, with its pyramid at the top housing a small glass lighthouse, is home to Petra Franklin Lahaie; her husband, David Lahaie; and their two young daughters. The residence on top of the tower has taken on the status of an urban legend."

see the view via nytimes.com

 

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The Lofoten Anomalies of Rost, Norway

"Despite their location, the Lofoten Islands, tucked inside the Arctic Circle in Norway, rarely dip to violently freezing or typical Arctic weather. Due to a convergence of the Gulf Stream with two underwater currents, the North Atlantic Current and the Norwegian Current, the weather in Lofoten remains anomalously warm. Two cities in Lofoten, Røst and Værøy, have average temperatures above freezing for the entire year."
via atlasobscura.com

 

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Karen Sloan's Whimsical Jazzy Paintings

"Whimsical paintings on canvas, with a Jazzy point of view.

Thinking that the essence of good music is when the musicians not only make it look easy, but fun, too!"

"By and large, Jazz has always been like the kind of man you wouldn't want your daughter to associate with."
~ Duke Ellington

via wallflowerstudio.blogspot.com

 also see Karen's Wall Flower Studio Seeds and The Gardening Artist

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The Hajj and Eid al-Adha

"The Hajj pilgrimage draws millions of Muslims from around the world every year to Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, Islam's holiest place. Saudi Arabia expects to host perhaps three million people in a ritual journey that every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must make at least once in their lifetime. It is the largest annual gathering of humanity anywhere. Timed to the Muslim lunar calendar, the Hajj is followed by the celebrations of the three-day festival of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, which symbolizes Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son. Collected here are photographs of the Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, as well as images of preparations for the Hajj and Eid al-Adha in many other parts of the Muslim world. -- Lane Turner (42 photos total)"
via boston.com

 

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SunGlacier : An Ice Producing Perpertuum Mobile

"Inspired by a leaf, covered with solar panels, we attrack moisture from the air and cool it into ice. Indeed: creating a glacier in a hot and dry desert. Why a is it called a glacier? Because the process doesn't stop. An ice producing Perpertuum Mobile. This week we start with testing the systems at Cofely, but the pre-test showed already good results."
via sunglacier.blogspot.com

 

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Airdrop Irrigation Concept Wins James Dyson Award

"The Airdrop irrigation concept is a response to poor agricultural conditions in periods of severe drought. Extensive research into droughts revealed an increase in soil evaporation and trans-evaporation (plant and soil) due to the increasing temperatures. Airdrop Irrigation works to provide a solution to this problem. Moisture is harvested out of the air to irrigate crops by an efficient system that produces large amounts of condensation."
via jamesdysonaward.org

 

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0 responses   //   Posted over 1 year ago