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Brazil gripped by major political crisis in midst of Covid-19 pandemic

A major political crisis has broken out in Brazil. The Minister of Justice Moro resigned yesterday after president Bolsonaro removed the head of the Federal Police (FP) Valeixo, who had been nominated by Moro. The now former minister of justice has accused Bolsonaro of wanting to appoint a new FP head from whom he could get information in relation to cases involving Bolsonaro's sons, including the assassination of PSOL councillor Marielle Franco.




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Brazil: Bolsonaro intensifies the crisis of bourgeois institutions

Bolsonaro's goverment in Brazil is wracked with splits and crises. The ruling class is hopelessly divided over the coronavirus pandemic and the economic calamity facing the country.




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Brazil: an isolated, crisis-ridden and aimless government – Bolsonaro out!

The political crisis is accelerating. Bolsonaro is isolating himself more and more as his government teeters. The press is adding pressure and calling for investigations. Ex-president Fernando Henrique Cardoso is calling for Bolsonaro’s resignation. Right-wing politicians, who were elected in the wake of Bolsonaro (Doria, Witzel etc.), jumped ship a long time ago, like all good opportunists. Mandetta is gone. Moro is gone. And the question that many ask is: how long can right-hand-man Paulo Guedes last?




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Venezuela: more mercenaries arrested including two US special forces veterans

A number of mercenaries had been killed and others arrested in La Guaira on 3 May while trying to disembark in Venezuela as part of a plot against the Maduro government. On 4 May, another eight mercenaries were arrested in the coastal town of Chuao in Aragua state, amongst them two former US special forces veterans.




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Survey: Majority in Washington D.C. area support more bike lanes

If you break down these numbers (see below), you find that it's the over 65 that are most opposed, and that the more educated you are, the more in favor of more bike lanes you tend to be.




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Micro-community of tiny homes flourishes on rehabilitated vacant lot

A group of tiny home owners have converted a formerly vacant lot into a small but vibrant place to demonstrate the possibilities of living happily with less.




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FedEx to test Nissan's electric e-NV200 delivery van in Washington DC area

After pilot programs in international markets like Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Brazil, FedEx will deploy a fleet of electric delivery vans in Washington DC.




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Modernist Matchbox is an off-grid micro-house in a micro-village

Built as part of a community of tiny homes in Washington DC, this contemporary solar-powered tiny home collects its own rainwater and has a thoughtful interior to boot.




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Will autonomous delivery robots soon be pushing pedestrians off the sidewalks?

Nobody is actually asking the question, because pedestrians don't matter, do they?




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Behold the sorriest bus stop in America

After a tough tournament, a sorry sad inaccessible bus stop in Silver Spring, Maryland wins the dubious honor.




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A tall tale of a telephone pole, or why pedestrians can't have a nice place to walk

On this National Walking Day, a look at the excuses cities use to make it difficult to do so.




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This May Day, get outside and celebrate spring.

It doesn't have to be all about politics.




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Happy 56th Anniversary, Silent Spring

Rachel Carson's book that many say launched the environmental movement was released on this day.




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Tomorrow: 1945 movie shows the glorious future of prefab

We have seen this movie before.




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Why we have regulations: So people don't get buried in molasses

100 years ago the Great Molasses Flood started another flood, one of regulations to protect people's health and safety.




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Paris had a marvellous moving sidewalk in 1900

It's like a moving High Line, and is still a very good idea.




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Ecotricity launches wind- and solar-powered cell phone network

And profits will go to giving land back to nature.




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Photo: American pika delivers a spring bouquet

Our photo of the day comes from Kananaskis, Canada.




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Why decluttering doesn't work on its own

You have to examine the reasons for why the clutter happened in the first place.




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Thrift stores are tired of getting people's useless junk

"Don't donate if you wouldn't give it to a mate."




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Competition to Find a New Design to Replace the Electrical Pylons

It's an icon that has been part of our lives forever... The electricity pylon was invented, in this design, in the '20's and since then it has been marching across the fields and highways of our mind




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Smart Grid Comes To The Netherlands

It's no secret that there are vast concerns in major utility companies operating a large smart grid connected to household smart meters that charge consumers a variable rate based on




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Another Reason We Need the Smart Grid: Record Heat

In case you're still among the set doubting if the smart grid is really necessary, Earth2Tech has a solid post explaining how record heat (something that is going to happen a lot more often, unfortunately) is a prime example of how the smart grid can




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Smart Grid Survey Shows People Want More Than Just Money Savings

Study shows that customers think the non-monetary benefits of the smart grid are great. That is, once someone explains what they are...




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PG&E Customers Can Say No to Smart Meters, But at a Price

California state regulators voted that PG&E customers can opt-out of smart meter installations, but they'll have to pay a fine and a monthly fee.




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Ask Pablo: Why Would My Electric Utility Want Me To Use Less Electricity?

It seems counterintuitive. Is it just greenwashing? Is it due to government regulation? Let's find out.




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Worldwide Smart Grid Spending to Hit $46 Billion in 2015

A new report says utilities around the world will ramp up smart grid spending, with worldwide projects hitting $46.4 billion in 2015.




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Woosh Water is reinventing the drinking fountain

Water conservation is obviously a huge concern in Israel and the rest of the Middle East. An interesting startup called Woosh Water is helping conserve water and reduce plastic use by reinventing the public drinking fountain with a high-tech solution.




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Automated electricity bill payments cause people to consume more energy

A new study says it's a case of out of sight, out of mind, but it has serious consequences.




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British utility allows businesses to buy "local" renewable energy

Should we care where our electrons come from?




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A major U.S. utility company just pledged to go carbon-free for the first time in American history

Are the tables finally starting to turn?




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10 Ways to Spice up Your Knickers With Sustainable Lingerie

With Valentine's Day around the corner, now's the time to invest in thongs, sweet babydoll sets, ruffled knickers, and more -- in sustainable materials from organic cotton to soy.




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Architectural Valentines: Love means never having to say you’re Saarinen

They are all over the internet today; here are some that relate to buildings we have shown on TreeHugger




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Show your love with earth-friendly flowers

Here's why it's great to support responsible flower farm management.




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Sexy & sustainable: 9 lingerie brands for women

This Valentine's Day, treat yourself to high-quality undergarments that are kind to your body and the planet.




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Dubious Dubai: World's largest air conditioned city to be built, covering 48 million square feet

It's got everything, from hotels to hospitals to theaters to the world's largest mall, and a severe case of cognitive dissonance.




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You can't be too skinny or too rich In New York City

A new record for skinny towers: only 47 feet wide.




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Wretched Excess: Private yachts are so yesterday, now it's private floating islands.

But, we ask, are they green and sustainable?




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Why the Filthy Rich Aren't Green: 7 Habits of Highly Inefficient People

Photo Courtesy of Millionaire-Maker PackageOh how we love to hate the filthy rich--even more so in these tough economic times. While the rest of us mere mortals are struggling to make ends meet, the hyper-rich live by the motto "if you've got it,




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Jewelry and Gems Shine Eco-Brighter with Brilliant Earth

Is your soon-to-be fiancé eco-chic? As you're getting ready to pop the question and thinking forward to your green




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TranquiliT Adds Something Green to Your Wedding With Eco-Friendly Bridal Gowns

TranquiliT may be better known for its downward-dog-friendly garb, but the erstwhile yoga-wear label is now rocking the frock, matrimonial style. Outfit the femmes of your bridal party—bride, bridesmaids, and flower girls—in 95 percent organic bamboo




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5 Ridiculously Over-the-Top, Extravagant Celebrity Weddings

Photo via Madeline's Weddings and Events/ CakellaAll you really need to get married is love--and maybe a ring, and a marriage license. But that doesn't stop celebrities from going overboard when they're ready to tie the knot, hosting parties decorated




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Win an Eco-Friendly, Solar-Powered Wedding

Want an eco-friendly wedding?? Afraid of the sticker shock for all of those organic, free-range doves merrily flying away after your vows? Not sure you can beat the millions of other people vying for a Today Show




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Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something...Green? Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte Delivers Eco-Friendly Weddings

As more eco-conscious couples take their walk down the aisle, a growing green wedding industry has responded in kind. Enter "Something Green," a new service introduced by The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. "We are constantly looking for




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British couple has a zero waste wedding feast

Charlotte and Nick Baker managed to feed 135 guests on rejected food that was delivered one day before the wedding.




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Does wedding rice really hurt birds?

At some point we were told not to toss rice at the newly betrothed because of the birds – here's the real reason why we shouldn't.




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4 ways to have a more eco-friendly wedding

A few strategic decisions can greatly reduce the environmental impact of your Big Day.




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Davos meeting entails 1,700 private jet flights...and a few new bikes

At the World Economic Forum, the elite of the global economy arrive in the least sustainable mode of travel - a private jet. Yet a few of them will walk a few kilometers to donate bikes to school kids.




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Enter the World Environment Day blogging competition and win a trip to Milan

In anticipation of World Environment Day on June 5, the United Nations Environment Programme is hosting a blogging competition to raise awareness about this year’s theme of sustainable consumption.




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30 Biggest Stories of the Year in Animal Conservation and Extinctions

The good, the bad, and the we-can-fix-its of the year all gathered up in one place.