On 15 January 2001, Wikipedia introduced the first online encyclopedia that could be edited by anyone, forever changing the way we seek expert information. While critics scoffed at Wiki’s accuracy and scope, Nature concluded in a recent study that it competes pretty darn well with the original pillar of accuracy, Encyclopedia Britannica.

An exciting development in this brave new wiki-world is the introduction this year of Green Wiki. It is certainly a welcome development in a thought-space where there are more questions than answers, and knowledge and experience are plentiful but diffuse. Here’s hoping that it will prove to be an equally able concentrator of all things green.

During my annual post-Earth Day news roundup, I found this inspiring article about design’s great potential for creating sustainability.

Nature has rhythms, people have rhythms. In fact, we ought to remind ourselves every so often that people are part of nature, too. Our interactions with nature are choreographed by our designs, so when we embrace natural rhythms, the outcomes can be delightfully compelling.

Imagine, for instance, an urban landscape powered in part by local foot traffic, or a streetlight system that, by dimming and brightening with the lunar cycle, saves 90-95% of the energy typically used. These innovations are not indifferent automatons. They are active participants in the cyclical rhythms of nature, at once saving energy and sparking wonder. Most importantly, they are part of an ever-increasing pool of nature-inspired designs that give reason to be optimistic about the future.

Congratulations to featured designer Elizabeth Redmond, founder of the POWERLeap energy-harnessing floor tile system. She works with our good friends over at Ecolect.net and attended our Green Design event back in December 2007.