Making cement puts out a lot of CO2. Making concrete needs a lot of sand. Both are big problems.

A key industry association is working to keep warming to "well below" two degrees.

Ambitious progress is possible, even in society's hardest to abate sectors.

Created by Zaha Hadid Architects, this innovative project demonstrates the possibilities of using KnitCrete technology for creating curved concrete shells efficiently.

Contractors are having trouble meeting the new safety standard.

Concrete Week at the Guardian produces some hard truths.

Did we say we hate concrete? Just the new stuff. This kind of concrete should be buffed, polished and treasured.

But nobody is buying greener cement because it costs more.

We do a little destructive testing and have a good breakfast.

They keep piling it on Florida's beaches, but they can't keep it up.

Power the World has already brought solar lights to Haiti, now it's working to bring solar powered healthcare kits to Uganda + get a million signatures so that policymakers know we care about ending energy poverty.

Access to reliably electricity is what defines civilization in the 21st century, but in many parts of the world, and for a shockingly large number of people, even basic access to electricity is rare, unstable, or nonexistent. This has to change.

We need a new system to determine which nations ought to be forced to cut emissions, not the 20-year old outdated one we've got now.

It is as counterintuitive as it is true: Around the world, communities who have resided on the land the longest often have the most tenuous rights to that land.

There's plenty of "recognizing," "acknowledging," and "noting" going on in the final draft of the Rio+20 text. Lot's of UN-ese. And that's about it.

A new UN report says that a 1% tax levies on the world's 1,225 billionaires would more than make up for the shortfall in development aid from governments.

A new solar-power kit from BRIGHT Products is like the Swiss Army Knife of solar gadgets.

Just 30 minutes of play time can power a lamp for three hours.

A new generation of succesful for-profit, mission-driven businesses are serving energy-hungry communities across the globe.

Using ceramics and metal nanoparticles, a non-profit organization from University of Virginia is making these simple but effective purifiers that can eliminate up to 99.9% of waterborne pathogens.

Good for the Westons, owners of both, for doing the right thing by admitting their use of the factory and their willingness to help out.

Can these 200 people save the world?

Many areas of the world have scarce access to electricity. This new solar lantern will provide light and charging power for cell phones.

Groups working in developing regions could use solar-powered 3D printers to make tools, lab supplies and more on the go.

The student invention just won the James Dyson Award for its intelligent design.

Discarded laptop batteries could power LED lights in regions with scarce electricity.

The large solar-powered box will help farmers get more food to the market for selling.

A new plug-in diagnostic tool could mean better healthcare around the world.

The toilets could be used to power lighting in refugee camps.

A fail-safe filter that delivers water easily with a sip or a squeeze could save lives in places where water-borne illnesses thrive, but look for it first as a trendy gym accessory.

Trust the rock stars, or your doctor.

Access to safe, reliable and affordable sanitary napkins is a big barrier to equal opportunity for many girls in developing countries. This inexpensive and clever set allows girls and women to clean, dry and carry their pads discreetly.

The device made from household objects could replace AA batteries for powering small electronics.

The technology could save countless lives.

In a victory for Berta Cáceres' campaign against a major hydroelectric project, two European development banks have withdrawn support following her and a colleague's recent murders.

The batteries could provide back-up power for small solar power systems.

The Level Market wants to make the procurement of humanitarian aid and development products as easy as shopping on Amazon.

For the last two decades, Nargis Latif and her organization have been researching how to divert waste from landfills and reusing it as quick and cheap construction materials.

Achieving 100% zero waste isn't always feasible, but the path toward zero waste comes with its own rewards.

How would you reduce one pound of waste per week from your lifestyle?

Why so much focus on packaging when product waste is equally important to consider?

How do companies close the “green-gap” and turn consumer values into action?

Companies and manufacturers are creating custom solutions for their difficult-to-recycle waste

In our mission to close the “green-gap” through sustainable messaging, every bit of insight counts.

Do people have the right to say no to corporations that come into their communities and create environmental and health risks? In Israel, the public is proving that they do.

The discussion of implementing proactive environmental consciousness starts with our youth, who have the most influence on the trajectory of our eco-infrastructure.

Industry coalitions working with municipal recycling can work, but only in two circumstances

In Canada, we’ve collected over 150 million units of waste and engaged two million people to recycle.

When it comes to communicating an alignment with personal values, it doesn’t get more personal than social media.

A major brand is putting out the first fully recyclable shampoo bottle made from recycled beach plastic