How Lilypad Cities May Save Future Climate Change Refugees

Looking like something out of an Arthur C. Clark novel, the Lilypad is a large-scale ecotectural concept designed by Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut, for housing the potential future victims (50,000 within each structure) of climate change in coastal areas. From Callebaut’s description of his intention on his website, it is quite clear that he takes seriously the many predictions of mass migration away from worldwide coastal zones following inundation by the potentially catastrophic rise of sea levels brought on by polar and glacier melting. Although such a dire scenario is not inevitable if the powers that be band together to stave off the seemingly relentless rise in CO2 levels, Callebaut is one architect who doesn’t want to wait and see until it’s too late.

Aside from their sheer aesthetic beauty, the self-sustaining Lilypads incorporate the latest (in some cases not yet feasible) approaches in clean technology and aquaculture. From rainwater purifying lakes, undulating solar roof panels, and wind turbines, to a tidal power station and CO2-absorbing titanium dioxide exoskeleton, the structures offer a well-thought out approach in how to incorporate complex technologies within a dynamic community. Some may say this concept is so far reaching and grand in scope to deem it wishful thinking, however its incredible potential suggests that bold thinkers like Callebaut, may indeed help the world come up with remarkable solutions to the daunting challenges which lie before us. With the introduction of his Lilypad concepts, he has surely gotten people thinking about his dynamic vision of things to come.

For more information, please visit Vincent Callebaut Architectures.

Controversial ELF House Burning in Seattle

ELF stands for “Earth Liberation Front” The following is a description of the “movement” from earthliberationfront.com “The ELF is an underground movement with no leadership, membership or official spokesperson.”

Also known as “Elves” or “The Elves”, the group is made up of anonymous and autonomous individuals who use “economic sabotage and guerrilla warfare to stop the exploitation and destruction of the natural environment.” These acts of eco vandalism have inspired the terms “ecotage” or “monkeywrenching” to describe the actions that people are taking with ELF and other networks. Originally, ELF was formed in Brighton in the United Kingdom during 1992. By 1994, influence had spread to the rest of Europe and beyond. They are seen as a “sister” to the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and often cooperate in their actions. ELF was classified as the top domestic terror threat in the United States by the FBI in March 2001 under the category “eco-terrorists” and in 2005 they were featured on an edition of 60 Minutes.

The houses that they burned in Seattle have been touted all over by the media as models of “sustainable” housing. The buildings used alternative energy and many eco-friendly and efficient materials in their construction. The creation of the buildings however was part of a larger development plan that harmed and in some cases destroyed local ecosystems.

For more information about ELF visit earthliberationfront.com

Irresistible prefab homes

LivingHomes has been working hard to get great LEED certified, prefab housing on the market. To cite Steve Glenn, their CEO, “our mission is to create homes and communities that inspire people, foster family and community interaction, and make modern life easier, healthier and more comfortable — all in ways that compliment and enhance the municipalities and environments in which we work. We hope our products will set a standard for the positive impact they have on soil, water, energy and health - and we’re using the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED®) certification system so we, and you, can measure how we’re doing.”

To get more information visit livinghomes.net