EcoHearth: Come Home to the Earth

For some, New York conjures up images of dirty sidewalks, trashed parks run over with rats, and skyscrapers that obliterate sunlight and prevent even a single blade of grass from thriving. But despite its reputation for concrete and grit, New York is one of the world’s leading cities when it comes to urban environmentalism and sustainable design. And certainly it’s one of the best places to live if you want to reduce your carbon footprint. Read on…

Santa Fe just celebrated its 400th birthday as North America’s oldest capital city. Yet it is also among the most forward-thinking when it comes to ecology.

A walkable, bike-friendly town with a bus system that runs on natural gas, Santa Fe also has made great strides in its water conservation efforts. Add its initiatives to preserve open spaces and support green businesses, and you have a city that could decide to rest on its eco-conscious laurels. But Santa Fe has even greater ambitions. Read on…

In 2005, Florida had an estimated 85.5 million visitors. While the majority enjoyed rollercoaster rides and sun-drenched beaches, a few craving more adventure sought out lesser-known attractions in the state, like Florida’s eco-centric bike trails.

With more than 8,000 miles of multi-use trails, the American Trails organization presented Florida with the Best Trail State Award. Both paved and off-road trails are found in every region throughout the state. The pleasant climate and easily accessible public lands create a cyclist paradise most visitors fail to experience. Plus, biking through natural Florida is a unique eco-friendly adventure. Read on…

As we desperately search for alternative energy resources, one market has managed to capitalize on perhaps the most available and efficient source of energy around: humans.

Sustainable gyms have already appeared in Hong Kong, Australia and Oregon—and are spreading to Europe and other parts of the world. Using generators connected to exercise bikes and treadmills, the gyms are able to power themselves by harnessing energy from their members’ workouts. Read on…

As one of the world’s strongest natural materials, bamboo has been used to build houses, boats and furniture, not to mention hats, toys, musical instruments and even clothes.  Thanks to the fact that it is also lightweight and sustainable, it is now the basis for an ecologically sound mode of ground transportation, as well—the bamboo bike. Read on…