Masdar goes downtown

The Masdar carbon neutral city project in Abu Dhabi has chosen an astounding design for its downtown. The winner is Australia's innovative LAVA Architecture. Features include an outdoor plaza sheltered from the sun with umbrella-like structures that close at night, adaptive building facades, and roof gardens. LAVA animation



Article and more great illustrations at Architecture & Design

Puget Sound tribes work to cleanup derelict fishing gear

Derelict fishing gear refers to lost and abandoned nets and traps that create hazards for marine-dependent life. The effort involves local conservation groups and Native American tribes, and is now getting federal stimulus funds. William Yardley's article is in today's New York Times.

It's a ginornous tragedy

While you wouldn't think the health insurance reform debate ventures into green territory, a current experience of mine does exactly that.

• My health insurance company took away my choice of pharmacy. I usually go to a locally owned chain, but for one particular drug I need, my insurance made me choose between two national mail order pharmacies. This is being done for excellence in service and for your convenience, the letter read.