Protecting The Rice in Bangladesh

Over 100 of these pyramid-like mounds are seen in Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh.

Workers in a rice mill create over 100 even piles of rice and sort them into even rows before downpours come.

Solar-Powered Cylindrical Treehouse Made With Sustainable Bamboo

On a lush stretch of beach in Mexico, north of Acapulco, lies a sustainable resort called Playa Viva. They recently opened a bi-level treehouse designed by Chicago firm Deture Culsign. Made of bamboo, the solar-powered cylindrical treehouse offers gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean.

8 Sound Sculptures That Lets Nature Be The Musician

While most sculptures are intended to be viewed, there are some that strive to stimulate our other senses as well. These eight large scale sculptures are installed at various locations around the world, and interact with natural forces like the wind and the rain to create soothing music. Let’s hear them.

Singing Ringing Tree, Burnley

The Singing Ringing Tree in Burnley, in Lancashire, England, is 3-meter tall and comprises of galvanised steel pipes of differing lengths and with holes punctured into the underside. When the wind blows, the sculptures produces an eerie sound in several octaves. Completed in 2006, the Singing Ringing Tree is part of the series of four sculptures within the Panopticons arts and regeneration project created by the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network (ELEAN).

The Urban Villages of China

Over the last four decades, China has experienced rapid urban growth and massive rural to urban migration. Between the late seventies to the early 21st century, more than 300 million people moved from rural areas to cities, increasing its urbanization rate from 17.9% (1978) to 39.1% (2002) over a period of 24 years. It took Britain 120 years, the United States 80 years, and Japan more than 30 years to accomplish this. In the past few decades, China’s urban population growth has been higher than that of Asia as well as the world. In 1982, some 210 million people lived in the urban areas accounting for 21% of the total population. By the end of 2015, China had a total urban population of 771 million or 56.1% of the entire population. By 2025, it is estimated that about 70% of China’s population will be living in the cities.