The Portuguese design firm, Corque Design, creates innovative organically-shaped furnishings from renewable cork. (The cork tree’s fire-resistant bark regenerates and can be harvested every 10 years or so.) The firm features the works of several talented designers. The “Vinco” chair (above), designed by Toni Grilo, achieves its geometric form without the use of screws or glues. (more…)

St. Paul, Minnesota-based 3M‘s Scotch Magic brand turns 50 this year, and as they turn the corner on the Big 5-0 they’re rolling out Greener Tape. We received one refillable tape dispenser and a replacement roll of new Magic Greener Tape for the purposes of this Review. After putting them to the test, here’s what we think… (more…)

• The key: ‘with proper policies’…Renewables Could Provide 80 Percent of Energy by 2050: U.N. – reuters
• Mississippi River Could Crest Monday in Memphis – myway
• Trade embargo makes environmental safety a tricky proposition…Cuba’s Hunt of Oil Raises Questions for U.S. – npr
• Impact of UK Tidal Power Installation on Marine Life Studied – bbc
• Turning the CO2 in the air into fuel…A Renewable Twist on Fossil Fuels – sciencedaily
• Quake-Shifted Japan: Towns Now Flood at High Tide – yahoo! news