E-waste, or electronic waste, is a major pollutant and poses a big threat to our environment. Things like computers, cell phones and tv's often end up in big landfills, and they can contain harmful contaminants that put us and the environment at risk. It's not just electronics–fridges, too, can release harmful gases into the atmosphere when they're thrown away.

 

But a new recycling program in Brazil's favelas has come up with a good–and green–solution. Old fridges that have been traded out for new ones are disposed of at a state-of-the-art recycling facility–and the entire process is done without releasing damaging pollutants into the atmosphere.

 

Take a look and let us know what you think!

Tomorrow (March 4th) is the very last day of voting for the '48 Go Green' film competition! It's an international contest that calls for filmmakers and producers to make green-themed films–but they only have 48 hours to do so. All the projects are submitted and, with your votes, the online festival will narrow it down to the top eight selections by Friday!

 

48 Go Green, which was inspired by the 48 Hour Film Project, got started in Athens, Greece back in 2009. It was such a big hit that organizers decided to take it global. Filmmakers can choose any style of fiction film, from comedy to romance to mockumentry–as long as it has an eco-theme. This year, 183 people took part around the world. And the winning film will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival plus $5,000.00–not a bad prize!

 

You can watch last year's winning film and screen all the official entries for this year, too, so cast your votes!

 

 

ecoATM, a startup company from San Diego, has recycled the idea of cash machines. If you are living in the southern California region you may have a good chance to find one of the so called kiosks, you can see in the video below. These machines will recycle your unused tech items and give you money for the trashy things. If you have an expired cell phone, an overplayed MP3 player or used-up ink cartridge, the ecoATM will determine the product, estimated it's value and will make you and offer (you might not be able to refuse). The idea could be a goldmine not only for the company, but for the recycling market as well. Because, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the recyling potential of electronic trash is especially significant. Every year the world generates about 40 million tons of E-waste, which contains valuable quantities of gold, silver and copper. More information on the values of trash you will find here.

Remember Eyjafjallajökull? The massive erupting volcano in Iceland that brought travel across Europe (and beyond) to a grinding halt last year? If you were one of the many travelers stuck in an airport, chances are you do. It turns out the very same volcano that caused so many problems might soon be key to a green-friendly future!

 

Officials in Iceland are looking at building a massive power cable to Scotland that would send large amounts of geothermal and hydropower to Europe. The country has vast amounts of untapped green energy potential, especially hydropower and geothermal sources–an estimated 75% of Icelandic energy is undeveloped according to the government. The new power cable could produce enough energy to power 5 million homes in Europe.

 

Our Global Ideas reporter Jenny Hoff is in Iceland covering the future of the country's geothermal revolution, so stay tuned for her report coming soon!

 

 

 

Sometimes it's easier to understand a complicated issue if you can play with it. Take climate change as an example. To garner support for climate action a video game is released today. The game is called Fate of the World that and it is based on state-of-the-art climate models, the developers say. Red Redemption from Oxford have created that strategy game in cooperation with the global TckTckTck campaign. People who are downloading the game are literaly ‘players’ in the climate change debate and can contribute towards real-life changes. In the game users must find a way to deal with Earth’s resources and the climate crisis. At the same time the needs of the growing world population need to be minded, such as more food, energy, and living space. TckTckTck and Red Redemption seek to increase the understanding and awareness of climate change by providing gamers with the opportunity to learn and explore the subject. More informations you will find here: http://tcktcktck.org/fotwgame/