Global commercial shipping is a crucial part the world’s transportation infrastructure – ships carry everything from high-tech electronic machinery to basic foodstuffs. Unfortunately, commercial shipping also accounts for more than 3 percent of all annual global emissions. According to a new report released today, global shipping also has another unseen effect – it alters the behaviour of the world’s whale population and affects them physically. A team from the New England Aquarium found that during the reduction in shipping traffic after 9/11, sound pollution also dropped – and for the first time they were able to study the effect of shipping noise on cetaceans.

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It takes a lot of energy to launch a spacecraft into orbit – the Space Shuttle, for example, used over one million pounds of solid propellant to power its rocket boosters. As you can imagine, over the last 28 years of shuttle service it has been responsible for over 42,000 tonnes of pollutants in the atmosphere. However we still need rockets to get supplies and astronauts to and from the International Space Station. This, as well as the growth of the space tourism industry, has seen NASA lay down a challenge for US engineering firms to design and build ‘space taxis‘ able to take at least four people into space.

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Described as a publication for those enthralled by the natural world, Wilder Quarterly is a visually-stimulating new magazine aimed at modern day growers and gardeners. The Brooklyn-based print publication features everything from local farmers and foodies to architects and amateur urban gardeners. Inhabitat recently shared a few of Wilder’s stories from the Winter 2012 issue, and Wilder generously created a special discount code for Inhabitat readers to enjoy 15 percent off of a single issue or a subscription.

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When the world’s largest retailer says it is doing something to make people healthier, we listen. Walmart announced this week that they are reducing fat, sugar and sodium in their private-label foods, and will start marketing other healthy food items in April with their new “Great for You” icon. Walmart is already the largest seller of organic produce in the United States, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the big blue retailers green initiatives. Though they aren’t all green, they are doing a lot to bring affordable, healthy food and eco-education to the masses and for that we say, bravo.

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If you’ve ever wanted to get more involved with the good humanitarian work of Architecture For Humanity, there’s an even better chance to volunteer now through your local chapters. The American Institute of Architects and Architecture For Humanity have announced a major strategic partnership that will expand the industry’s commitment to disaster assistance and long-term reconstruction. While the two organizations’ missions are different, they have recognized their complementary skills and the new collaboration will provide architects a way to use those strengths in their local community. We couldn’t be more thrilled that these two organizations are teaming up and providing more options for volunteering.

A finalist at the Green Furniture Awards 2012, the ‘A-Board’ by Argentine-born Italy-based Tomas Schön’s is a bookshelf that consists simply of an eco-labeled plywood board and one strong orange ribbon. Using an innovative way to bend wood with the use of a laser cutter, this flat-pack, no-glue, no-screw shelving unit transforms from a single sheet into a shelf with just the pull of its ribbon. Exhibited at this year’s Stockholm Furniture Fair, this elegant piece of design is self-supporting and will rest elegantly against any wall.

Via Furnifurnish

Acura has officially introduced its latest model, the 2013 Acura ILX compact sedan. The ILX is based on the Honda Civic and is being positioned as a gateway into the Acura brand. The ILX will be available with three different powertrains, but the most noteworthy is the hybrid option, as it marks the introduction of Acura’s first ever hybrid model.

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MDC Interiors created this uber-cool Glow Table from recycled pallet wood, concrete, glass, pine, and steel. The concrete combined with a narrow pallet strip provides an industrial feel along with a warm and earthy presence, and the natural opening in the pallet wood creates a perfect place to hold your favorite drink. A set of accent lights under the glass illuminate the beverages atop, and a dimmer switch is attached to change the light setting.

+ MDC Interiors

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Greenpeace just released their fifth annual Cool IT Leaderboard, which rates huge IT companies for their green initiatives – and this year Google pulled ahead of the pack. The internet giant got the most cred for its green policy initiatives, but it was no slacker in sourcing renewable energy or developing innovative eco-solutions (the other two criteria for topping the leaderboard). Cisco came in a close second with Ericsson and Fujitsu following right behind. The Cool IT Leaderboard was established to show which IT companies are putting in the most effort to help stall climate change – as the IT industry grows and new servers suck up even more energy, the fight to keep the industry sustainable is becoming more and more critical.

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Recently featured at Design Miami, the Stormy Weather lamp collection by LMNOQ is an experiment in frugality and sustainability. Made entirely from recycled tin vegetable cans collected from local eateries, the Stormy Weather collection addresses the challenge of producing a well-crafted, functional work out of materials that would have been thrown away. The collection includes a standing floor lamp and hanging lamp variations, and each is available as a limited numbered edition of 5.

+ LMNOQ

The article above was submitted to us by an Inhabitat reader. Want to see your story on Inhabitat? Send us a tip by following this link. Remember to follow our instructions carefully to boost your chances of being chosen for publishing!

This Valentine’s Day, give your love something eco-friendly — a bouquet of artful recycled newspaper roses! While cut flowers are pretty for a fleeting moment, they are wasteful and die quickly. These delicate paper roses stay fresh forever, and they show your sweetheart that you not only love him or her, but also Mother Earth! The roses make a unique Valentine gift and also benefit the Lower East Side Girls Club.

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Times Square pulses with energy no matter when you’re there, but for the month of February, the center of New York City will be glowing a brilliant pink thanks to a 10-foot tall LED heart sculpture by the Bjarke Ingels Group. Unveiled on February 6, the heart hovers within a cube made of 400 glass rods, and it beats brighter and stronger as more visitors touch the activation pad. More people brings more love and more light, making the sculpture directly relate to the crowds surrounding it. Hit the jump to see more photos!

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Jan Lampei is a brilliant lamp made from recycled jars that was a finalist in the 2012 Green Furniture Awards. The light consists of an organic wooden structure fitted with sterilized jam jars attached with standard clamps. This customizable light was exhibited at this year’s Stockholm Furniture Fair, where it brightened the inspiring Nordic festival.

+ Lamp Jar

Aedas Architects and a team of other world-class consultants and designers have conceived of PierESCAPE: a series of outdoor “dock-like extensions” aimed at revitalizing Chicago’s famous Navy Pier. This proposal promises to strengthen connections between the city and nature, and between civic space and culture in a manner that is exciting, enriching, and sustainable, according to Arch Daily. Step in to see a quick video by Aedas which details their vision for this iconic urban space.

If you can’t help but dream about jetting off to a tropical paradise when you’re in an office board meeting, then don’t look up at these overhanging F-Light Lamps by Paul Coudamy. Made from the cutaway interior panels of decommissioned Airbus A300 planes, Coudamy‘s illuminating design adds just the right touch of aviation glitz and glamour to drab modular lighting. And thanks to the original design of the airplane, the lighting system can be easily expanded to fit any size room!

+ Paul Coudamy