Currents

Around the world, builders, artists and communities at large are coming up with innovative ways to turn recycled materials into usable works of art.

The 62-mile Lower Owens River in California had all but disappeared 95 years ago. But a restoration project that began in 2006—the largest of its kind—has brought the river back , complete with cottonwood and willow trees and bobcats, minks and great horned owls.

Smog is more than just a health hazard for the elderly and asthmatic. The latest research suggests living near a busy roadway with higher-than-average smog may be linked to lower IQ scores and other health impacts in developing newborns.

The U.S. solar industry has set a goal of installing 10 gigawatts of solar energy annually by 2015.

Formula One engineer Gordon Murray of Gordon Murray Design recently released a super-compact and super-efficient car of the future at the UK’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment in Oxford. It’s called the T.25m and the first running prototypes are due in April 2011.

It’s unclear if America is really prepared to kick its addiction to the 16th and 19th century combustibles of coal and oil. They’re clearly much more addictive than nicotine.

The nonprofit Women’s Voices for the Earth recently released a report on the dangers of fragrances in household products on to consumer health.

The International Whaling Commission has been debating whether or not they should lift a 25-year ban on commercial hunting in favor of allowing limited whaling rights.