Officials at the St. Louis Zoo are preparing for their holiday Wild Lights exhibit by installing electronic polar bear proxies in place of the deceased polar bears who died in their captivity. The gesture is rife with social commentary, given the fact that polar bears have become the iconic images of climate change, and our generation could witness their extinction. Could artificial animal zoo exhibits be the reality of the near future? See what PETA proposes and learn more about this new breed of bear at Inhabitots.

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With flu season upon us, parents can use all the help they can get when it comes to keeping their kid’s hands clean and germ free. The bright and cherry ‘Mons Lavabo,’ a short-listed entry in Designboom’s Green Life contest, is the wash basin equivalent of a superhero whose powers are promoting good hygiene and saving water. Designed by Teng Chuan Tey and Romualdo Faura Bernabe from Spain, Mons Lavabo is a kid-sized sink that caters to the hand washing habits of children. Made from Duralmond (biodegradable and recyclable crushed almond husks), the enclosed form of Mons Lavabo helps reduce splashes, a motion sensor turns water on and off to prevent waste, and Mons’ sole ‘tooth’ acts as a soap dispenser to remind kids to lather up.

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We first reported on the conceptual design of the Bel-Air living air filter back in 2007, and now everyone may breathe a little easier because it came to fruition as the ANDREA Air Filter and went on the market this week! The stylish air purifier, invented by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur with Harvard professor David Edward elevates common houseplants to heroic status as they eliminate noxious chemicals that pollute indoor air. Visit Inhabitots to see precisely how the ANDREA Air Filter works!

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The eco chic Eames Modern Rocker is the quintessential rocking chair for green, design-savvy parents — and when we came across Inhabit’s Modern Chair collection of pillows and wall art featuring vibrant silhouettes of Eames icons including the plastic RAR Rocker, we knew baby’s nursery decor scheme just came full circle. Inhabit’s feather and down cushions, fabric wall hangings and stretched canvas art  are handmade in the USA from 100% recycled polyester and printed with no waste, eco-friendly inks. And with a name like Inhabit, we know to expect inspired, green design.

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KOZ Architects’ Sports & Leisure Center is a rainbow colored wonderland for kids in Saint-Cloud, France. Designed for festive celebrations and entertainment and featuring the ‘coolest’ indoor climbing wall in France, the vibrant hues from the outside of the building correlate via color coding to the interior areas — enabling spatial orientation for young children. Environmentally aware KOZ architects made ‘green’ the standout color in their project by implementing eco-aspects into their design. The openings in the roofs and the glass facades allow for maximum natural lighting and limit electrical consumption, and they used prefab concrete slabs to reduce waste, pigment infused concrete to reduce paint use, and installed a solar heated hot water system.

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Fans of prefab design can now pass their affinity on to their children via Modern Cabana’s newest addition to their collection of modern living spaces — the KIDDO Cabana. Dubbed the “ultimate choose-your-own-adventure” dwelling space, kids will adore turning the blank canvas of the KIDDO into their own unique playhouse. KIDDO is made in San Francisco with FSC-certified wood harvested from sustainably managed forests in the United States, no-VOC paints and glues, and natural tree oil stains. The interior boasts an array of kid enticing features you have to see! Visit Inhabitots to peek inside.

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Bela Borsodi proves that fashion is an art form by creating faces and animals out of clothing, origami-style. In his ‘Wild Life’ spread in Italian Vogue he brought creatures including a frog and a swan to life by masterfully fashioning them out of accessories. His expert flair for folding leaves a zero carbon footprint since the clothing he works with is not permanently altered, and may crawl back into a drawer or return to a hanger in the closet once it has served its purpose. Visit Ecouterre to view Borsodi’s animated creations and watch the clothing ‘heads’ he created for fashion label Yalook come to life and give you a piece of their… mind?

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Designed to cast a sweet glow and add a touch of outdoor ambience, we think Inke Heiland’s Birdhouse Lamp is a joyful embellishment that would add natural flair to any room of the house. Handmade from 100% salvaged French Oak, the Birdhouse Lamp comes with an energy saving CFL light bulb and a pair of Heiland’s vintage handcut wallpaper bird silhouettes.

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Since cloning your pet goes against Mother Nature, do the next best thing and have artist Amelia Santiago create a three-dimensional ‘Pet Portrait’ sculpture as an homage to your best furry friend. Santiago will handcraft a sculpture of your dog, cat, bunny or horse out of 100% wool felt, implementing every physical detail of the animal’s coat and appearance. Her replicas bear an uncanny resemblance to their real-life models. In most cases, you’d be hard pressed to tell the two apart.

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We’ve seen our fair share of backyard retreats, but Manuel Villa’s Habitable Polyhedron shapes up to be one of the most unique dwellings we’ve come across. Designed as an escape for young families: parents and their newborn, the Habitable Polyhedron offers respite from day to day household activities in a family’s back garden in Bogota, Columbia. One windowed side of the polyhedron opens to a teak deck leading into nature; and a skylight casts natural light on a workspace and sofa inside. Once the child grows up, the space may accommodate him in the same manner as would a treehouse or playhouse.

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In the case of designer Brian Marshall, playing with toys all day really can culminate in a career. Inspired by a childhood spent building with Legos and Lincoln Logs, Marshall’s imagination unearthed the beauty in found items and he crafted an eco-inspired motley crew of robots currently awaiting adoption in the world’s first robot orphanage. Made from discarded objects including lamps, clocks, silverware and cameras, these personable robots range in persona from formidable to fun-loving. But they all have the common thread of having their parts spared from a landfill to bring thoughtful decor and character to green families with a soft spot for robots.

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Pass on your penchant for design and architecture to your kids in a language they’ll understand — via the re-telling of classic fairytales by illustrator Steven Guarnaccia, who gives a stylish update to The Three Little Pigs and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. In the modern spins of these tales, Goldilocks takes a seat in a ‘Ladderback’ chair, a Danish ‘Egg’ chair and an Eames ‘LCW’ chair when happening upon the Bears’ home, and the porcine interpretations of renowned architects Frank Gehry, Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright are up against a wolf who ‘threatens to demolish smartly designed structures,’ all of which are defined in the book’s glossary. Thanks to Guarnaccia’s new twists, parents can believe in the ‘happily ever after’ of enjoying storytime alongside their kids.

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Parents are all too aware of the revolving door of quickly outgrown furniture that goes hand in hand with raising a child. Incessantly purchasing furniture is taxing on both the environment and the wallet. Designer Oji Masanori’s ‘Baby in Table’ is a clever alternative that is both stylish and sensible, as it changes in function as your child grows up. Two pieces of Japanese Beech furniture comprise this evolving design which houses an infant during mealtime (via the cut out square on the tabletop), then becomes a child’s desk, while the chair doubles as a step stool for the entire family. Head to Inhabitots to see all the various ways Baby in Table may be utilized.

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Education is the key to conservation, and Ian Shive’s photographs in The National Parks: Our American Landscape enlighten viewers with a rare, adrenaline-filled look at the phenomenal beauty of the American backdrop. Shive’s photography offers a fresh outlook on nature, making a hairy tarantula in the Chihuahuan Desert featured in an extreme close-up, appear as a dazzling wild gem, and depicting a giant Sequoia Tree as it reaches deep into the sky, its branches blending with the stars. In the book’s collection of 200+ photographs, Shive manages to both capture the magnificence of too grand for words settings while enabling the viewer to interact with the environment and process moments in time on an individual level.

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70F Architecture’s Sheep Stable/Petting Farm is nominated for a 2009 World Architecture Award. The building’s open facade allows for wind to continuously ventilate the entire farm, and its shutters open and close with the rising and setting sun, as if the structure itself ‘wakes up and goes to sleep everyday.’ This gorgeous petting farm in the Netherlands offers local families a chance to indulge in the beauty of nature and design in one setting.

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Toy designer, Ben Blanc creates classic Corkels push/pull toys from recycled wood chip that looks and feels like cork. His animal, car and boat designs are full of fun, wheelie appeal for kids; and they’re stylish enough to look great in a workspace or perched on a windowsill for adult fans who are kids at heart. Inhabitots contributing writer, Desmond Williams interviewed Ben Blanc regarding the inspiration behind his Corkels toys, and Blanc also shares an exclusive peek at his soon to be released new collection of recycled cardboard products and toys ranging from a wearable shark to a chic, clever room divider. Don’t miss out on meeting this innovative, eco-friendly designer and getting a first look at his latest wares over at Inhabitots!

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Blank walls are the canvas of every home — just waiting to be livened up with thoughtful, personalized decor. However, renters aren’t always able to paint or wallpaper their walls, and kids’ tastes change on a dime; so what’s one to do? Mae’s extensive collection of vinyl-free, reusable, washable wall decals are the perfect solution for vibrant wall decor that can be easily removed and changed. Decal designs range from dress up dolls and dinosaurs, to forest critters, dainty toadstools, and vintage cars. Kids needn’t be the only ones who get in on the sticker fun… we think the build a tree and the tea time wall decal sets would make whimsical additions to a home office or guest room.

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Anyone can frame a photograph; but the design-minded will love these photo puzzle blocks, which offer a creative, interactive way to enjoy a favorite snapshot. By upcycling alphabet blocks and using a few crafty household items, this tutorial instructs on how to create photo puzzle blocks — a cool conversation piece for your coffee table, which also serves as a charming memento and a game for kids and adults alike. Fashioning your own puzzle via this DIY craft is the perfect way to say goodbye to summer — while treasuring your memories of fun in the sun year round.

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Procreating is a basic human instinct and right, but some extreme environmentalists are pioneering efforts such as ‘voluntary human extinction‘ on a global level and undergoing sterilization procedures on an individual level, for the sake of protecting Mother Earth from overpopulation and human destruction. Resident Inhabitots writer Desmond Williams thinks it’s high time we put an end to this nonsensical debate, and poses the question, “Without children, what future are we protecting?” Where do you stand on the ‘babies are inherently un-eco-friendly’ debate? Read Desmond’s Green Rant at Inhabitots and leave us a comment with your thoughts.

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If you’ll be replacing the windows in your home to increase indoor energy efficiency anytime soon, get ready to simultaneously up the ante on your outdoor aesthetics. This quaint backyard retreat made from old windows has us excited with its clever upcycling. What could have been dubbed ‘waste’ was instead turned into a treasured escape from daily household antics. Whether you need privacy on a phone call, a place to have cocktails with friends, or want to take a snooze or read a novel, we see this space as a real window of opportunity.

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Send your child back to school in sustainable style with an Ecozoo backpack! Inhabitots is giving away an Ecozoo backpack to one lucky reader. The winner may choose one of four lovable creatures that comprise the Ecozoo backpack series: Panda, Puppy, Elephant, or Pig. Kids will get an A+ in the green department by donning these eco-friendly backpacks, made of organic cotton canvas, recycled plastic components, non-toxic dyes and sustainable wood accents. Padded straps and internal pockets complete the cute critters. Entering is easy – head over to Inhabitots today for a chance to win!

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Did you know that most babies are born in August? Perhaps this is why Oeuf is rolling out their greenest, most affordable line of baby furniture to date next month — the Robin Collection. The husband/wife design team behind Oeuf made a concerted effort to lower the price point of their furniture while maintaining their commitment to eco-conscious craftsmanship and beautiful design. Made out of 100% sustainable, FSC certified wood and 100% natural water-based paints, the Robin Collection includes a dresser, crib and toddler conversion kit, all for hundreds of dollars less than its predecessor, Oeuf’s Classic Collection. Maybe new parents will have a shot at sleeping like a baby knowing their newborn is in a safe, sustainable crib that didn’t force them to dip into their college savings account.

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We love shedding light on affordable, eco-friendly decor that the entire family may enjoy… but IKEA’s SUNNAN LED Work Lamp takes our enthusiasm a step further with its altruistic nature. For every SUNNAN lamp sold in IKEA stores worldwide, another SUNNAN will be donated to UNICEF to give to children living in remote areas and refugee camps who lack electricity. Requiring no electrical connections, the solar powered lamp offers four hours of continuous light after its solar panel is charged by the sunlight for 8 hours. The first lamp donations will be sent to Pakistan, where thousands remain homeless after the major earthquake in October 2008.

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Whether you’re a discerning parent who’s sick of the generic slogans splattered across kid’s T-shirts, or you’ve got something to say and you want the whole world to take note, Chalkboard Tees are an ingenious creation for the verbose artist in all of us. Available in kid and adult sizes and featuring a front pocket to tote a piece of chalk, Chalkboard Tees may be written or drawn on time and again — and a clean slate is only a wet wipe away.

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Good things really do come in small packages — as is the case with these mini modernist Bauhaus Models crafted by Auckland based painter and sculptor Gidon Bing and styled by Katie Lockhart. The diminutive Bauhaus dwellings were created as a promotional showcase for New Zealand paint company, Renese, to demonstrate their Karen Walker Paint charts. The inspiration for the dollhouse models was derived from “the Bauhaus school of the 1920s whose concept was to create and combine colors from an emotional point of view rather than a technical one.” This artful nod to Bauhaus architecture blurs the lines between child’s play and grownup art appreciation, proving that great design spans the ages.

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‘Bedtime stories’ becomes a literal interpretation in the design of the Uroko House Book Igloo — a cozy, fort-like enclosure of bookshelves which encircle a bed. Being surrounded in slumber by books is a bibliophile’s dream, and Point Architects enables lovers of literature to wrap themselves up in their treasured tales while drifting off to sleep in this cleverly constructed lair. The backless shelves allow one to grab a book from inside or outside the Igloo. Conceptually designed for children, we think it’s a telltale sign that as adults, we’re equally smitten with the Uroko House Book Igloo, and wouldn’t mind curling up with a good book, or fifty, in one of our own.

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Robert McLaughlin’s ‘Landscape Apertura‘ treehouse near Kansas City, offers calculated views into nature via six strategically placed, vibrant green frames. Each frame is designed to capture a specific outlook, which enables one to appreciate and focus on a small perspective of the expansive great outdoors. As thoughtfully crafted as its outward gazes, Landscape Apertura is constructed in a Lincoln-log fashion with  90% recycled wood sourced from surrounding deconstructed houses through Habitat For Humanity ReStore. This whimsical treehouse is like a camera, permanently poised to capture nature at its most beautiful, and we’d love to snap up the views.

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Kent and London know the ABC’s of sustainable design, and we’re singing the praises of their stylish, FSC approved, solid oak chest of Alphabet Drawers. These 26 letter drawers spell function for the entire household, offering a variety of uses from storage in a child’s playroom or bedroom, to easy filing for a home office. Inspired by vintage printing blocks, this chest is a throwback to a bygone era, but it fits perfectly into our modern day desires for beautiful, eco-friendly design. L-O-V-E it.

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The Museum of Modern Art’s Midtown Manhattan Store has sprouted a vibrant, luminous tree, made from the “Candy” collection of Glide’s TwistTogether LED Blocks. This display undoubtedly proves that design possibilities are indeed fruitful when it comes to configuring the “Legos of the lighting world,” and that LED’s are truly efficient — the entire tree display uses as much energy as a 100-watt light bulb! This type of design gives us several bright ideas for how we’d like to incorporate colorful LED’s into our own homes!

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If you’re an eco-minded cyclist looking to tote your tots alongside groceries or library books on your next jaunt, a ride aboard Madsen’s kg271 Bucket bike may be just the ticket. Ideal transportation for parents, this cargo bike enables bicyclists to make errand running with small kids in tow a green undertaking. Or, on solo ventures when the surf’s up, toss your trusty board in the bucket and hit the waves. The kg271 Bucket bike by Madsen means never having to banish the bike due to limited hauling space — and it puts an elegant spin on utility cycling.

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We’re impressed with this ‘grade A’ upcycling of egg carton pulp into multifaceted children’s play funiture. The Tamago (Japanese for ‘egg’) furniture series by Latvian design team, Merci Design consists of seven soft-contour furniture forms which may be easily manuvered to create letter and number patterns for playtime learning and fun. Tots will enjoy wielding their crayons or markers and drawing directly onto the blank canvas of Tamago furniture, leaving their mark without consequence… much like Merci Design made their mark with this recycled collection, while leaving no environmental impact.

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The 6 in 1 Solar Robot Kit is a super cool, eco-minded toy for kids and adults, packed with half a dozen gadgets for solar powered fun. The Solar Robot takes the shape of a robotic dog, boat, car, windmill, and two types of airplanes (moving or desktop). Parents needn’t worry about having an engineering degree to make the robot transform into all of its lively versions. Construction is a breeze, and no screws are required. We’re positively beaming over this multifunctional robot that teaches kids about alternative energy and keeps them occupied for hours on end.

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Beck has won the title of: Inhabitots ‘Eco-Cutey!’

More than just a cute face, this 15 month-old, organic vegetable gardener is already living an eco-friendly lifestyle — from his penchant for responsibly made wooden toys and organic cotton clothing, to his outdoor, nature loving hobbies! And did we mention that his name is Beck?! At his young age, Beck is getting a great head start on living a sustainable lifestyle, proving it’s never too early to introduce eco-living to our little ones. Head over to Inhabitots to read more about why earth-loving Beck fits the bill of Eco-Cutey from head to toe!

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There’s nothing that we love more here at Inhabitat than smartly designed products that serve multiple functions, and Patrick Kim’s Stacking Rhythm Band toy – which we just discovered at the Pratt graduate show – is the epitome of clever 2for1 design, with a stacking toy carefully disguised as a bunch of noise-making musical instruments. Since music, colors, and noise-making comprise a triumvirate of baby bliss, this toy is sure to please. Crafted from FSC certified mahogany and powder coated aluminum, and finished with 100% flaxseed oil, this portable band features 5 xylophone rings, 1 maraca, 1 mallet and 1 guiro, all nestled together in a stackable tower of colorful geometry.

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Looking for the perfect hostess gift for summertime soirees? Jill-able Fill Me Up Vases are cleverly designed, eco-friendly vases that will add a magical flair to organic floral offerings. Jill-able vases are recyclable plastic bags that stand up straight when filled with water. After they have held and displayed a bouquet, they may be folded, stored flat, and re-used time and again. The convenient portability and cute design patterns of these vases are only rivaled by their affordability, at $8 each. And if you happen to be named Jill, like our fabulous Editor-in-Chief, bestowing this namesake gift becomes an even more unforgettable way to leave your mark.

+ Jill-able Fill Me Up Vases $8/each