fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
Sound and Vision — Sole distributor for Artcoustic Loudspeakers in India.
By: Smart Home World
Tags: Home Theater Systems, Sound And Vision 28, Smart Speaker, Loudspeaker, Home Theater

Home theatre systems have gained significant demand among consumers during recent years. An increasing need for wireless excess to audio content is expected to drive the home theater market. Artcoustic has been making loudspeakers that deliver exceptional performance for the price, accompanied with great aesthetics to match any interior space. These auditory works of art are now in India, with its sole distributor rights earned by Sound and Vision.

Founded in Denmark in 1998, Artcoustic quickly became one of the most innovative loudspeaker companies in home audio. Their approach to design captures a perfect blend of acoustic performance, efficiency, decor-friendly design, and customization. With a deep understanding of the aesthetics of modern living spaces, the fast-growing brand has a long list of award-winning installations. From simple soundbars, in-ceiling loudspeakers to high-performance cinematic and custom products.

Sound & Vision is known to distribute only the finest of audio, video, and home cinema products to installers and retailers in the Indian market. Formed as a company in 1999, they take great pride in their deep knowledge of home cinema and custom installation. Their product portfolio includes; Loudspeakers, Projectors, Screens, Video Processors, Cinema Seating as well as cables suitable for any home cinema setup.

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Ideas to Turn Any Room in Your Home into A Theater
Tags: Theater Seats, Home Theater Seating, Home Theater

Thinking of transforming your living room into a theater, or maybe that extra bedroom you’re using only to store junk in? There are a few simple things you can do to turn these spaces into your own private movie theater.

Video — A quality big-screen TV is a must, of course, and wall-mounted options most closely mimic the theatrical experience. Another idea, if you have access to a video projector, is to plug your laptop into the projector and show films on the wall!

Audio — A decent sound system is also key. At the very least, you should have a two-speaker set up with a subwoofer. Ideally, a 5.1 surround sound system (five speakers, plus a subwoofer) with three in front, and one on each side creates the best experience. You’ll also need a proper home theater receiver to control your audio and video devices, such as DVD or Blu-ray players.

Lighting — Dim the lights! The dimming of house lights has become a universally recognized trigger for the anticipation of a stimulating audio/visual entertainment event. A good trick for an upgraded look is to install lights behind crown molding around the room. It’s easier on the eyes and exudes a more theatrical ambiance. Looking for a simple update? Try installing a dimmer switch. It’s relatively inexpensive, and a dimmer instantly takes your theater to the next level.

Paint or curtains — You could paint your room in muted, darker colors like burgundy or navy blue to cut down on light reflecting on your walls. If you have a small space and don’t want dark walls to make the room look even smaller, use light-blocking curtains or blinds. They’re easy to put up and take down, and they block glare from streetlights or passing cars. They also do wonders to improve your TV’s contrast.

Furniture — Put your furniture front and center. Be sure to position your seating at the optimal viewing distance for your TV. For a 50-inch HDTV, sitting about 6 to 10 feet away is ideal. To give your space that extra “wow” factor, consider a set of reclining theater-style seats.

Seat Risers — If you’re handy, you could build a riser for tiered seating. Use plywood to construct two small platforms for your living room chairs to sit on, then move them behind the couch. For ready-made options, we have risers meant for multiple rows of seats, and they’re available in several different sizes with optional step choices to suit your needs.

Decor — Display movie-themed artwork or posters to give the space a theatrical vibe. Wall sconces and columns, along with acoustic tiles, add the finishing touch if you’re aiming for an unmistakably dramatic feel.

If you’re into the DIY route, there are all sorts of options to transform any room in your home into a cozy home theater. If you want to take it to the next level for a more luxurious look, we’re here to help. And … ACTION!
AirPlay 2 and HomeKit finally arrive on Sony TVs
By: Sohrab Osati
Tags: Siri, Apple TV, Automation, Apple, Home Theater

AirPlay 2 and HomeKit finally arrive on Sony TVs

Nearly a year after announcing Apple HomeKit and AirPlay 2 support for their premium TV models, Sony has finally made good on that promise. In addition to those features, by rolling out Android 9.0 Pie, Sony is also bringing Dolby Atmos support to those sets as well.

Speaking of TV sets, the models receiving the much awaited update include:

2019

A9G

Z9G

X950G

X850G (55, 65, 75, 85-inch)

2018

A9F

Z9F

Long time readers know how selective I am about using the word finally, something that’s tossed around far too often and lazily. But seeing how,

I think finally is quite appropriate here. Curiously, there is no word yet on support for the Apple TV app, which others, like Samsung, have already integrated. With AirPlay 2 support, iOS and Mac users can easily stream movies, music, photos, and games to devices that offer the protocol. Those with HomePod can also use AirPlay 2 devices as another destination for music playback.

As for HomeKit, you’ll now be able to integrate Sony TVs in automation flows like Siri turning off the TV when you leave the house or a ‘Movie Night’ scene where lights are dimmed and your TV is turned on and set to your service of choice.

Vizio and Samsung brought these added functionalities to their TV sets in May and LG did so in July. If Sony wants to be a premium TV maker, they need to offer premium features, but the cheapo guys are beating them by half a year with support on more models.

The update that brings Android 9.0, Dolby Atmos, and Apple HomeKit and AirPlay 2 support is now live in North America. No word yet on when the new firmware will roll out in Europe and Asia. Here’s hoping that the majority of their fleet in 2020 will offer these features from day one.

Would you like to see HomeKit and AirPlay 2 support on your TV?
Emotionally Driven Design — Designing Today- Post Covid19 / Current Events
By: Yeheskel H. Sharbani
Tags: Design Trends 2020, Home Security, Outdoor Kitchen, Kitchen Remodeling, Home Theater

6. Wine cellars — From small to elaborate, wine aficionados in Tri-State NY are taking the plunge and having a wine cellar designed in their home or apartment.

7. Home Bars — Always festive, home bars create a unique entertaining centerpiece. Encourages the social engagement that has been diminished.

8. Home Office — Of course this is trending. We don’t know how long businesses that continue to have employees working from home are going to maintain this policy. Many people are already 1099 workers and spending more time at home while not visiting clients. These individuals are also leading the upgrade of home offices.

9. Air/Water Purifiers — Who doesn’t want the cleanest air and water in their home? Whole home water purifiers are being installed vs. the individual purification machine on the kitchen sink. There are air purifiers that can remove the VOC gasses which is important for health. Air purifiers that use activated Carbon can rid the VOC gasses. Best Air Purifiers

10.. Expanded outdoor kitchens/entertaining area — You can never truly replace travel, restaurant dining, dancing and concerts. However, outdoor kitchens/entertaining areas can be a beautiful way to share great times. Some clients are expanding their indoor living outdoors, especially when they have limited space indoors to work with. Heaters, light deflectors, outdoor kitchens and bars are great additions to home living.

11. Outdoor landscaping — Surrounding yourself with beauty is quite inspiring. Designs by landscape architects can greatly improve the look and feel of a home. Don’t forget outdoor lighting which adds another dimension to the landscape. Every inch of the property counts!

12. Exercise / Wellness Rooms / Spa — Gyms and yoga studios are finding their way into homes. From a Peloton in the basement to an entire room dedicated to exercise and well being, people are becoming more in control of their health at home. Specialty products such as Inversion Tables are being added due to the closure of chiropractic offices this year. Feng Shui design elements are more popular in wellness rooms and entire home projects.

13. Products free of chemicals — The more time you spend inside, the more important it is to evaluate every product you place in your home. Products low in formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals are key to a healthier home. Sourcing where furniture, cabinetry, carpets, flooring, etc…are made will educate you on the best products for a cleaner inside environment.
Apple TV arrives on Sony TVs
By: Sohrab Osati
Tags: Television, Apple TV, Apple, Sony, Home Theater

Apple TV arrives on Sony TVs

Starting today, owners of the Sony X900H will notice a new firmware update that brings with it support for the Apple TV app. From Sony:

The Apple TV app brings together all the ways to watch shows and movies in one place. The app features Apple TV+, Apple’s new video subscription service offering original shows, movies and documentaries from the world’s most creative storytellers, including “The Morning Show,” “See,” “Defending Jacob,” “Ted Lasso,” “Greyhound,” “The Banker,” “Boys State” and “Beastie Boys Story.” Also on the Apple TV app, customers can subscribe to Apple TV channels, such as SHOWTIME, CBS All Access, and Starz, and watch ad-free and on demand, directly on the Apple TV app. Through Family Sharing, up to six family members can share subscriptions to Apple TV channels using their personal Apple ID and password.

Of all the services out there, including Disney+, Apple TV+, in its first year has delivered some of the best shows with support for 4K, Dolby Atmos, and all the other fancy stuff out there to make sure what you’re watching and hearing is the best it can be. If you haven’t given the service a shot, I highly recommend it.

According to Sony, the

Apple TV app will launch on select 2018 models and most 2019 and 2020 models by the end of the year.

So far, the X900H is the only TV model named, making it unclear which other TVs will be getting the app. With the track record Sony has had when it comes to bringing features to older products, I wouldn’t hold my breath if you have a 2018 Bravia.

With support for Apple TV and soon, HDMI 2.1, the wallet-friendly X900H continues to be the best TV offered by Sony and not their more high-end TVs. A very strange strategy for a company hell-bent on focusing on the ‘premium’ product segment.

As someone who has been itching to upgrade their X950E, let’s hope their 2021 lineup is a little more coherent.
Boost your TV’s sound with this Polk Audio soundbar, on sale for $139
Tags: Entertainment, Cutting, Chromecast, Home Theater

Boost your TV’s sound with this Polk Audio soundbar, on sale for $139 Amanda ·Oct 27, 2020

We’re all missing movie theaters right about now, but with the right audio devices, your at-home setup can get you much closer to that immersive experience. And today, you can get the Polk Audio Signa S2 sound bar from Amazon for $139Remove non-product link, down from a list price of $229. This matches the cheapest we’ve seen it.



This ultra-slim soundbar, which comes with an included wireless subwoofer, is just over two inches tall, so it can easily fit into your entertainment console without taking up too much space. Despite its small size, it boasts excellent sound, with Dolby Digital Decoding to maximize clarity and five full-range drivers to boost the bass.



In addition to working with your TV, this soundbar can also wirelessly connect to your mobile device to stream music from apps like Pandora and Spotify. We gave a previous version of this soundbar, the Polk Audio Signa S1, a four-star review, noting that it was “a big improvement over the built-in audio in most TVs.” And with this edition’s solid feature set, the Signa S2 should pack a punch with your entertainment system’s sound.



[Today’s deal: Polk Audio Signa S2 sound bar from Amazon for $139]



Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate link policy for more details.
HDMI 2.1 arrives on Sony X900H and Z8H TVs
By: Sohrab Osati
Tags: Ps5, PlayStation, Playstation 5, Sony, Home Theater

HDMI 2.1 arrives on Sony X900H and Z8H TVs

If it were any other company, it would be a foregone conclusion that their 2020 TVs would be fully compatible with PS5, and yet with Sony, that’s far from the case. At CES 2020, like any other year, Sony unveiled their lineup of TVs, and despite PS5 on the horizon, many were incompatible with touted, albeit niche features such as 120fps gaming, which requires HDMI 2.1.

To make matters worse, while lower-end models like X900H were set to gain HDMI 2.1 via a firmware update eventually, more high-end models like X950H will be left behind due to their hardware despite both TVs being 2020 models.

Earlier in the summer, Sony smartly kicked off a new marketing campaign called ‘Ready for PlayStation 5,’ which highlights TVs that will be able to take full advantage of PS5.

With a new firmware update rolling out for the X900H (XH90) and Z8H (ZH8), Sony is now making good on that marketing promise. From Rasmus Larsen over at FlatPanelsHD:

In Europe, the firmware update is labeled v6.4775 (ZH8). We are still not sure what version number the firmware will carry in the US. The update higher bandwidth on the compatible HDMI 2.1 ports in the TVs. This allows game consoles and media players to feed the TVs with signals in up to 4K120 (4K at 120 frames per second) and 8K60 (Z8H/ZH8 only). Sony said that VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), which are two optional HDMI 2.1 features, will be enabled on X900H (XH90) with a later update as soon as VRR and ALLM have been formally certified by an HDMI test center.

If you’re looking for a new Sony TV and have PS5 on your mind, the X900H is the only TV you should be looking at as it’s the only TV the company offers that supports 4K 120p, VRR, ALLM, and eARC. Only in Sony world can you pay 2–3x more for a more premium 2020 TV that can’t match the same feature set.
Khadas’ New VIM3L SBC Is Aimed at HTPC Applications
By: Cabe Atwell
Tags: Single Board Computer, Htpc, Hardware, Home Theater

Back in June, Shenzhen Wesion-owned Khadas launched their Amlogic A311D-based VIM3 SBC, which was meant to compete against the Raspberry Pi 4, Edge-V Pro, and Odroid-N2. It was faster and more powerful than those boards, but it came at a higher cost, starting at $99. While that’s a justifiable price if you intend to use the board’s many features, it’s not so much if you plan on using it for simple projects, such as building an HTPC.

The VIM3L comes loaded with an Amlogic S905D3-N0N SoC with a quad-core Arm Cortex-A55 processor, 2Gb of LPDDR4 RAM, and 16Gb of eMMC 5.1 storage.

To that end, Khadas is set to release another version of their VIM line, with the introduction of the VIM3L — designed around an Amlogic S905-series SoC, and should be an excellent choice for use as an HTPC. Under the hood, the VIM3L hosts an Amlogic S905D3-NON quad-core Cortex-A55 processor, with 2Gb of LPDDR4 Ram, 16Gb of eMMC 5.1 Flash storage, and a Mali-G31MP2 GPU. Additional storage options include 16Mb of SPI Flash, a micro SD card slot, and M.2 NVMe SSD compatibility.

Video output includes an HDMI 2.1 transmitter with 3D, Dynamic HDR, eARC, CEC, and HDCP 2.2 support, as well as a 4-lane MIPI DSI Interface (up to 1920 X 1080), and a 10-pin 0.5mm pitch FPC connector for touch panels. As for connectivity options, the VIM3L offers Gigabit Ethernet (with Wake-on-LAN support), Ampak AP6398S wireless module with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-FI 5, 2×2 MIMO with RSDB, and Bluetooth 5.0.

Khadas’ VIM3L offers plenty of features that will make the board perfect for home theater use.

Rounding out the VIM3L feature set are an STMicro STM8S003 MCU, a pair of USB 3.0 ports, a USB Type-C port (with OTG and USB PD support), a KXTJ3–1057 3-axis digital accelerometer, an M.2 socket with 1-lane PCIe 2.0, USB 2.0, I2S, I2C, ADC, a 100M Ethernet PHY interface, and GPIOs. There’s also a 40-pin I/O header with accessible pins for the CPU (USB, I2C, I2S, SPDIF, UART, PWM, ADC), and MCU (SWIM, NRST, PA1).

There is even a two-channel IR receiver, RTC/Battery header, four-pin cooling fan header, LEDs, power/function/reset buttons, XPWR pads for an external power button, and a KBI interface to switch between USB 3.0 and PCIe. On the software side, Khadas will provide Linux 5.0+ and U-Boot, and the board will have support for Ubuntu 18.04, Armbian Linux distributions, along with HTPC-based firmware, including LibreELEC or CoreELEC, and Android 9.0 (among others).
Meet the Sony h.ear on 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (WH-H910N)
By: Sohrab Osati
Tags: Headphones, Music, Ifa, Mobile, Home Theater

Meet the Sony h.ear on 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (WH-H910N)

The h.ear on headphones have always been about funk and color and at IFA 2019 in Berlin, Sony did not disappoint. Dubbed the h.ear on 3, or as it’s officially known by its sleeker name, the Sony WH-H910N h.ear on 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones¹, the new series offers a splash of new colors alongside improved tech.

Starting with the latter and working our way back, the h.ear on 3 headphones now offer both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa as your virtual companion, which can be set and adjusted via the Sony Headphones Connect app on iOS and Android. Either assistant can be summoned by pressing and holding the noise cancellation button.

Speaking of noise cancellation, Sony has improved that aspect of the headphones as well with

dual noise cancellation microphones — one feed-forward and one feed-back — on the surface of the headphones catch more of the ambient sounds of your surroundings, whether it’s in-flight noise, city traffic or office chatter.

If that wasn’t enough, Sony is also introducing Adaptive Sound Control, which can detect the activity you’re partaking in, like “travelling, walking, or waiting” and adjust how much ambient sound makes it through. And if you’re onboard a plane, train, or automobile, by placing your hand over either headphone cup, the noise cancellation will dip to a minimum which will allow you to more easily hear things like announcements.²

For those on the go, the h.ear on 3 offer 35 hours of battery life and when plugged in can get you 2.5hrs worth of charge in just 10 minutes. Unfortunately, the headphones still utilize micro-USB and not USB-C.
Best Home Theater Systems in India 2019 — Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
By: Rajdeep Shill
Tags: Home Theater Systems, Movies, Home Theater

https://www.clickreview.in/best-home-theater-systems-in-india-2019/

Sitting in front of the TV on-screen isn’t sufficient without a decent solid system. You have two alternatives to choose from to improve your TV sound skills. The first is a soundbar that gives you a nice understanding of the 2.1 channel. The second is a home theater in a box that not only enhances your TV’s noise but also gives you an experience of surround sound. You require remarkable sound expertise with the goal that you can appreciate each scene and here a job of home theater system plays.

Home Theater is frequently described as an audio and video device installed in your home that emulates the experience of the movie theater. In reality, a nice setup for home theater can provide a more impressive experience than many of those tiny multiplex cinema screens.

In fact, a home theater is not necessarily a costly custom installation as it is effectively set up in most households, nor does it cost a lot of cash. A humble home theater setup can be as easy as a 32 to a 55-inch TV, coupled with at least one DVD player and a soundbar, or a Blu-ray disk player coupled with a stereo or home theater receiver, speakers, and a subwoofer.

The purpose of the home theater application is to provide the consumer with an entertainment alternative appropriate for watching TV and films at home with a little additional enthusiasm than you usually just watch a plain-old TV on your own.
4K OLED Sony A8H is designed with soundbars in mind
By: Sohrab Osati
Tags: CES, Television, Design, Sony, Home Theater

4K OLED Sony A8H is designed with soundbars in mind

One of the biggest reasons I’ve yet to purchase a soundbar is due to my TVs stand design, ironically from Sony, that doesn’t allow for any soundbar to sit in front of it. Now not all Sony TVs are designed this way, and some due take soundbars into considerations, though once again, depending on your TV model, some soundbars are too tall and end up encroaching upon the button part of the TV screen. While annoying for movies, this can be a deal-breaker when gaming where the HUD is often placed directly at the bottom of the screen.

Enter the Sony Flexible Metal Blade Stand that’s meant to solve this very problem.

Flexible Metal Blade Stand, soundbar-ready The direction of this versatile stand can be adjusted so your TV display won’t disturb your viewing, even when used with a soundbar.

It’s hard to tell from the only photo Sony provides on this feature, but in short, the TV legs are designed in such a way that they can either be placed flat or on their sides, which lifts up your TV an extra few inches. Think of it like placing a piece of wood under your TV in order to have it sit higher than the soundbar, but a lot more elegant. I did a little bit of Photochopping to show it.
8K Association defines final standards
By: Sohrab Osati
Tags: Samsung, CES, 8k, Tech, Home Theater

8K Association defines final standards

Only at the end of 2019 do we finally have multiple streaming services that offer 4K content — Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. Just a month ago, two of those services didn’t even exist and the majority of others out there — from HBO to CBS All Access, Hulu, and even cable providers either offer zero 4K content or partial (that honor goes to Hulu). So you can guess why the idea of transitioning towards 8K seems rather absurd to me, but with TV manufacturers having gone through another price war that’s left razor thin margins in selling 4K TV sets, it’s time to bump things up another resolution knot that brings with it higher prices for at least a few years.

Enter the 8K Association which has officially defined what the final standards are for the format. For over a year now, some TV makers have been shipping 8K sets, and these standards aren’t all that different.

Resolution: 7680 x 4320 pixels

Input Frame Rate: 24p, 30p and 60p frames per second

Display Luminance: More than 600 nits peak Luminance

Codec: HEVC

Interface: HDMI 2.1

Current members of the 8K Association include:

AUO

Hisense

Panasonic

Samsung

TCL

Tencent

Xperi (no, not Xperia)

Novatek

V-Silicon

IMAX

Chili

Louis Pictures

Innolux

Astro

TPV

Intel

Curiously, Sony, who already ships 8K TVs, is missing from that list, while big time rival Samsung as well as Panasonic and even TCL are listed as “principal members with a board seat”. One benefit of joining the 8K Association is being able to use the extremely hideous logo you see above, so I can see why maybe Sony isn’t in a rush.

Another thing of interest on the 8K Association website is the page dedicated to ‘why 8K.’ Some of their answers are borderline hilarious, but good on them for not pretending this is some kind of new standard that people are really excited by. After all, there currently exists nearly zero 8K content outside of promotional pieces specifically shot to sell TV sets and that’s not going to change for years, if not at least a decade.
Sony’s shift towards premium TVs meant lower Q2 FY19 sales
By: Sohrab Osati
Tags: Technology, Advertisement, Tech, Business, Home Theater

And sticking to basic math, Sony is fast approaching a point that even if each device they sell holds a 100% profit margin (which is of course impossible), the cost of running the division (R&D, marketing, inventory, components, etc.) would be higher than the return.

Could TVs be headed towards a similar fate? It’s still early and there’s yet another transition ahead of the industry — 8K, though I doubt despite hype from companies that it’s coming any time soon, nor do I think consumers will care, seeing how so much content is still not offered even in 4K— but beyond that, unless there’s a massive shift in Sony’s strategy, it’s hard not to look 5 years ahead and see what happened to Mobile happen to their television business as well.

Producing a TV and shipping it costs a hell of a lot more than it does for a smartphone and with sales likely topping off at around 10 million for FY19, when will the division not be generating enough profits to justify their entire lineup? At that point, the number of models Sony offers would be slashed. But then, with fewer models in the market, would they be conceding and exiting certain markets all together, which would result in lower revenues and thus, trapping them in a downward spiral? If Mobile is any indication, that answer is yes.

For the past decade, Sony’s mantra towards solving its fledgeling electronics business has been — “lets cut costs” — and while I’m all about a company running a lean operation, you seldom see struggling companies recover by ‘cutting’ their way out. Instead, what each and every division within Sony needs is bold thinking — roadmaps that extend years ahead, taking them to where the puck will be, not where the puck is, marketing that excites consumers (none of this Kondo and make you feel bullshit), and ultimately quality products that embrace the connected, software driven world that we live in. Oh, and it wouldn’t hurt if Sony’s entire home theater lineup actually worked and complemented each other.

With PS4, Sony understood this, having learned from their mistakes with PS3. But Sony Electronics continues to lack the vision that made Trinitron and Bravia household names and XBR, THE TV home theater enthusiasts lusted over. Sony still has a chance to make sure that in the future, when people are visiting the electronics museum, that their products don’t stop appearing after 2010, but that clock is ticking and I’m not sure current executives at the company can hear it.
2020 International Women’s Day Sees Taiwan’s Accomplishments in Gender Equality
By: Leap, Voices Of Youth
Tags: International Womens Day, Women, Gender Equality, Sustainable Development, Taiwan

The theme of International Women’s Day is “Taiwan: Asia’s leader in gender equality”.

The 2020 marks as the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and in the last 25 years, Taiwan has accomplished significantly regarding gender equality. Heralding “I am Generation Equality”, Taiwan responds to the Generation Equality advocacy of the UN WOMEN, to show the world that everyone can take actions on generation equality.

When it comes to gender equality issues, Taiwan assumes leadership in Asia. From women’s political participation, workplace equality to respect for gender diversity and inclusion. Taiwan is ahead of its neighbors and setting examples for other parts of the world.

According to the Women, Business and the Law 2020report published by the World Bank in February, Taiwan ranks top in Asia. Of 190 economies, Taiwan ranks the 35th. After the congressional election in January, 41.59% of the congresspeople in Taiwan are female, which is higher than the global average of 24.5%. The first female President in Taiwan won an overwhelming success for her second term. Last year, Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage.

Under the shadow of a global pandemic, celebrations for International Women’s Day have been canceled, including the events in New York. Activities may have been called off but Taiwan’s determination to defend women’s rights will not. NGOs are taking online social channels to share with the world their success in building gender equality.

In addition to setting bars in gender equality, Taiwan is also a role model for epidemic prevention as it has built for its people a reliable and safe land in the high-risk Asia. It is firmly believed that Taiwan can connect with the international community as a world citizen in the fields of women’s right, public health and global sustainable development by sharing its experience.
From Silicon Valley to the Real Valley
By: Ozan Sönmez
Tags: Startup, Impact Investing, Impact, Sustainable Development

A little (well known) Secret About Me & Why Silicon Valley is not REAL.

I usually jump into running programs with a group of super-believers when there is little management support or belief that things will work. Then, we do our magic and prove the models actually work, then spend a lot of time fighting back the ignorance and credit salvage raiding of others. I, as you can read, am not political enough to suck up or let others take credit for our work, especially in bureaucratic environments.

On top of that general trait, what I had found in San Francisco had started to lose its charm. There are more qualified people than myself to talk about the reasons and solutions for the gap between the misery of homeless and the glory of techbros that you can see everyday in the streets. Whatever those might be, I felt I had no connection to the fake tech brothers and couldn’t do much about the systemic reasons of homelessness. Add to that quite regular 14hr flights between SFO and Istanbul that I had to take to see my daughter, I was looking for something else to work on.

At that exact time in my quest, I met Mustafa Osman Turan, the strange diplomat who pitched me the Idea of the Sustainable Development Goals Impact Accelerator that he was co-chairing with UNDP in Turkey. As the lead of this project in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he and UNDP had assembled Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Limak Holding and Eczacibasi to run a test pilot in Turkey for people under the temporary protection of Turkey, mostly Syrians, and Temporary Agricultural workers. They wanted Turkish founders to apply and build startups for them, but not just to solve the biggest humanitarian problems, described in the SDGs. They wanted a focus on two super specific issues (grand challenges )like Non-Sewage Water Toilet and Digital ID. It was a model that was quite tricky to operate; first, because founders are like cats that don’t want to be herded in your direction,

and, second, running a specific challenge with the first cohort proves very little in terms of success or future network effects. I shared all of these points of view because I had made those mistakes when I was the Country Manager for the first Impact Fund in Turkey (Angel Wings Ventures) and one of the co-directors of the Social Change Labs back in 2013.

So, my crazy self proposed that it would work if the specific challenges are categorized under broader topics and if founders are scouted from a global partner network, rather than local incubators and programs. So, I said what I said and didn’t expect much to happen from this crazy thought-experiment.
Rio de Janeiro goes for H2O2 for better tap water
Tags: Hydrogen Peroxide, Chemicals, Water, Sustainable Development, Water Treatment

Tapping into the efficiency of hydrogen peroxide for water treatment

There are many advantages to using hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine for the treatment of drinking water. Following a lengthy collaboration with Solvay, the municipality of Rio de Janeiro decided to introduce hydrogen peroxide for the pre-oxidation of its tap water in 2018 — an example soon to be followed by other Brazilian cities.

The largest potable water treatment facility in the world is located in Rio de Janeiro. Run by the local authority CEDAE (Companhia Estadual de Águas e Esgotos), it serves 10 million people but draws its water from a very polluted river in Brazil, Rio Guandu, strongly affected by organic pollutants from sewage and industrial effluents upstream.

Discover Solvay’s water treatment solutions

Because of this, the treatment of tap water must comprise a pre-oxidation step that neutralizes the pollutants. Chlorine is the traditional go-to product for this, but hydrogen peroxide is actually more efficient. It also produces better-tasting water without any chemical smell, and it’s cheaper overall, as well as being more environmentally friendly since it decomposes into water and oxygen. Furthermore, using H2O2 avoids the formation of trihalomethanes, carcinogenic chemicals that are a by-product of chlorine when it reacts with organic matter in the water.

Water treatment that answers environmental concerns

“The problem is that there is strong resistance to change; people are used to using chlorine, which remains an efficient solution,” explains Cedric Schmitt, Commercial Manager at Solvay’s Peroxidos do Brasil. “But as people and municipalities become more aware of sustainability and public health concerns, the will to switch to a more sustainable solution is increasing.”

Additionally, there is a global trend towards the enforcement of lower limits of micropollutants, which weighs in favor of a solution offering more efficiency. In short, chlorine-based pre-oxidation of drinking water is on the way out — though chlorine still remains necessary for the final disinfection stage, to meet regulatory requirements.

Nevertheless, it still took Solvay ten years of work with the authorities in Rio to make the change happen. “The biggest challenge was to prove the validity of hydrogen peroxide as an alternative method for pre-oxidation,” continues Cedric. “Over time, we established a real long-term partnership.” Technical staff and experts from both Solvay and the CEDAE held meetings, lab tests and demonstrations, leading to what can be considered a work of co-creation.

Our success in Rio proved the efficiency of hydrogen peroxide and helped us replicate the operation in other municipalities.

Cedric Schmitt, Commercial Manager, Peroxidos do Brasil, Solvay
Ex-post Eval Week: Exiting For Sustainability by Jindra Cekan, PhD
By: Jindra Cekan
Tags: Resilience, Foreign Aid, Impact, Sustainable Development, Evaluation

Hello. My name is Jindra Cekan, and I am the Founder and Catalyst of Valuing Voices at Cekan Consulting LLC. Our research, evaluation and advocacy network have been working on post-project (ex-post) evaluations since 2013.

Do we exit global development projects knowing our impacts are sustained? We hope so. As Professor Bea Rogers of Tufts said after evaluating 12 projects 2 years post-closure, “Hope is Not a Strategy”. Yet too often that is what projects that assume sustainability that we designed-in, does. They/we hope.

In this week’s series, we share lessons from project exits and ex-post evaluations, share guidance on how to foster sustainability.

Lessons Learned:

Instead, we need to evaluate what we expected to remain from our implemented projects and what emerged by catalyzing local’s new ways to sustain activities that are locally manageable. (For more on evaluating sustained and emerging impacts. Those provide great lessons for how to sustain while we implement.

We also need to look at assumptions about the resilience of the context in which our projects exit. As esteemed evaluators Andy Rowe/ Michael Quinn Patton noted, given climate change we need to question even more assumptions by evaluating the natural environment and sustaining natural capital on which our programming relies pre, during & implementation, at exit and ex-post closure.

But we don’t need to wait for ex-post to make sustainability more likely for years to come. We must fund, design, implement, and monitor/ evaluate For Sustainability throughout the project cycle. Donors and implementers need guidance to help support their integration of sustainability throughout, including environment & resilience, benchmarks, as well as some in our industry who have a penchant to claim (sometimes sole) attribution for results rather than contribution.

I’ve updated my AEA blog on Sustained and Emerging Impacts Evaluations, and now see that project cycle adaptations for sustainability abound:

How are two-way feedback loops checking assumptions of success beyond exit?

beyond exit? How is handover to which stakeholders embedded from the onset, including triage of what they can sustain?

including triage of what they can sustain? How is sustainability embedded in the funding, partnership agreements, and phasing projects down and over during implementation rather than just at project exit out.

rather than just at project exit out. What data is selected at baseline and retained post project and by whom for we need to track readiness for exit, or build better ownership, partnerships for resources and capacities. This includes including transparent benchmarking, adaptation, and communications.

Rad Resources:

This week, AEA365 is celebrating Ex-post Eval Week during which blog authors share lessons from project exits and ex-post evaluations. Reposted from the American Evaluation Association: https://aea365.org/blog/ex-post-eval-week-exiting-for-sustainability-by-jindra-cekan/ January 17, 2021
Turning household waste into sustainable designs for interiors
Tags: Interior Design, Sustainable Design, Circulareconomy, Sustainable Development, Circular Design

When speaking about sustainable designs, a lot has to do with materials.

Less harmful materials are created.

By-products are given a purpose.

Waste is upcycled.

Looking at materials impartially is a skill to be learnt though, as our preconceptions over materials can hinder their potential!

Today, we’re focusing on materials that are commonly thrown into household recycling bins. Even though this action marks the end of one of their lives, this doesn’t mean they can’t have more…

Paper

Letters, newspapers, leaflets…everyday life is full of paper. But when wet, paper trash takes on a paste-like consistency that can easily be moulded into décor pieces and furniture.

The end products retain an interesting crumpled look that adds plenty of texture.

Some recycled paper interior products from SforSustainable:

Glass

Glass bottles and jars are a common packaging material for household goods. Glass is also a great material when it comes to recycling, as it can be reused over and over without any quality loss.

Trashed glass can be melted and re-shaped into attractive forms that are worth displaying. Alternatively, glass bottles can be cut and painted. This turns them into a décor piece while keeping them mainly as-is, in a somehow provocative act of upcycling.

Some recycled glass interior products from SforSustainable:

Credit: Urban Nature Culture — Photo by Studio Bino

Cans & tins

Cans and tins are another common packaging material for food & beverages. And aluminium is another ideal candidate for recycling, being one of the few materials that don’t degrade in quality when reused.

In an Ugly Duckling-like transformation, uninteresting cans & tins have the potential to become design pieces — from chairs to coat hooks.

Some recycled aluminium interior products from SforSustainable:

Plastic bottles

Despite being one of the most blamed materials, plastic can be reused in several different ways.

Either in the form of solid surface or yarn, recycled plastic can be turned into all sorts of interior pieces.

Some recycled plastic interior products from SforSustainable:

Organic waste

Even what commonly ends up in the compost can have a second life as a design piece!

Peels and leaves can become dyes to give a natural tint to textiles. Alternatively, vegetable pulps of all sorts can be moulded in the shape of furniture tops and accessories, preserving their naturally vibrant colour.

Some organic waste interior products from SforSustainable:

When speaking about sustainable designs, a lot has to do with materials…

And if we let go of common preconceptions, accepting that all materials have the same potential, then we’ll be able to witness some incredible transformations — like household trash to sustainable design!
UN 2030 SDGs, its integration in India’s Policy making and a vision to solve them!
By: Global Sdg Foundation
Tags: Future, India, Sustainable Development, Sdgs, UN

In September 2015 Heads of State and Government agreed to set the world on a path towards sustainable development through the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These agenda includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, which set out quantitative objectives across the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development — all to be achieved by 2030. The goals provide a framework for shared action “for people, planet and prosperity,” to be implemented by “all countries and all stakeholders, acting in collaborative partnership.”

UN SDGs are a commitment made by all the make our world a better place. The UN Sustainable Development Goals are as follows:

GOAL 1: No Poverty

GOAL 2: Zero Hunger

GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being

GOAL 4: Quality Education

GOAL 5: Gender Equality

GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality

GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

GOAL 13: Climate Action

GOAL 14: Life Below Water

GOAL 15: Life on Land

GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal

India played a prominent role in the formulation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and much of the country’s National Development Agenda are mirrored in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The progress of the world to meet the SDGs largely depends on India’s progress. However, with 17 Goals, 169 Targets and 306 National indicators, the SDGs might be difficult to grasp and understand, and defining and measuring success poses a challenge. As potential solution for the posed problems is that these knowledge gaps are required to be addressed and adequate M&E platforms should be developed.

Once adequate monitoring dashboard is prepared at various levels of government, an umbrella organization is required to bring all the relevant stakeholders on one platform. The stakeholders for social development are:

1. Government officials/ entities

2. Corporate Social Responsibility

3. Non Profit Organizations

The monetary, knowledge and human resources should be collated altogether under one umbrella. Once we have all the potential input parameters, an adequate strategy team should provide insights to sustainable solutions. These sustainable solutions would be based on infrastructure development agenda towards different environmental, social and economic problems that the world is currently facing. Only then we are able to achieve the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Is there a link between education and sustainable development?
By: Mujidah Ajibola
Tags: Sustainability, Educationforafrica, Sustainable Development, Sustainability Education, Education

While a good number of people understand what sustainable development is, or at least have a picture of what development means to them, many can not draw a connecting line between education and (sustainable) development.

Providing the right information and education can change people’s values and behaviours, encouraging them to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. It can also break the cycle of poverty, malnutrition and disease that affects so many worldwide.

So much that international bodies have implemented programmes and partnerships in Education for Sustainable Development.

As teachers provide students the opportunities to understand the current global trends and challenges; and how it shapes their lives, students learn to develop the capacity to collaborate across all lines of difference, to advance worthwhile purposes and to improve the world.

Students are often disengaged from learning and formal education because they don’t see the point of what they are learning, they don’t see how it relates to their lives, or to lives they might imagine for themselves.

They don’t see the relevance of education to their lives and perceived irrelevance leads to boredom and lack of interest.

It kills creativity and lofty dreams.

Please note that education in this context is not limited to formal education, it also includes non-formal education; that is education outside the school system.

I am a trained sustainability educator and I am committed to teaching, inspiring, leading and supporting individuals, schools, businesses & communities to achieving sustainability!
Natalia Zavodchikov Shares How Science Labs Are Becoming More Sustainable
By: Natalia Zavodchikov
Tags: Sustainable Development, Sustainable, Science, Sustainability

Science labs are responsible for producing large amounts of waste and incurring huge energy bills. With environment conservation being the need of the hour, universities and other scientific institutions are trying to minimize waste, as well as energy and water usage.

Experts in science lab sustainability say that this practice is gaining traction quickly and labs are looking for more ways to reduce their environmental footprint. My Green Lab is one such company that is helping labs better their sustainability .

Rachael Relph is the chief sustainability officer of My Green Lab, a non-profit that scores and certifies lab sustainability. Rachael shared that the company has also developed eco-friendliness labels for common lab products and launched a challenge to curb the energy use from lab freezers.

It’s not terribly difficult for universities, drug makers, and even offices to make their spaces more sustainable. This is not the case with labs. They require far more energy, specialized humidity control, and a high level of ventilation. They also use large equipment that is often required to keep running on nights and weekends.

My Green Lab is helping to improve lab sustainability by reducing wastage, cutting down on energy and water use, and switching to more sustainable chemicals and products. Some universities have also started taking lab sustainability into their own hands. They have formed offices dedicated to helping scientists and lab managers adopt eco-friendlier practices.

Also, according to Green Lab, there are now more than 80 universities and scientific companies that have incorporated a green lab program in their working. This is up from less than 10 just over five years ago, which is a significant jump.

Improving lab sustainability , according to My Green Lab, includes simple things such as shutting the sash on a fume hood and having a ventilated machine in which researchers conduct experiments to limit their exposure to hazardous substances.

These steps help to cut down on the air flowing through the device, which in turn cuts down on lab energy use.