Many People Satisfied with Their Jobs Despite Tough Times
from USA TODAY
First the good news: Nine in 10 people said they were satisfied with their jobs or the work that they do — and that remained steady throughout 2008, despite the economy. And now the bad, even if it's not so surprising: The number of people who said their employer reduced the size of the workforce rose dramatically during the year, from 15 percent in the first quarter to 23 percent in the fourth quarter. More

LED There Be Light
from Scientific American
Torraca is a small village of 1,200 people in Italy. It is also the first place in the world to be totally illuminated by light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Representing a sea change, much like when electric lamps first graced London's Holborn Viaduct back in 1878, some 700 streetlights (each containing 54 LEDS) now line Torraca's arteries—and locales around the world, from Beijing's Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium to the Raleigh Convention Center's Shimmer Wall in North Carolina, have begun to use LEDs to light up the night. More

Integrating Wind and Hydro Power in Quebec
from The New York Times
When Hydro-Quebec begins construction next summer on the 1550 MW La Romaine hydroelectric dam, the US$2.8 billion-a-year utility will be simultaneously developing smart grid control and load forecasting technologies aimed at integrating hydropower with Quebec’s fast growing inventory of wind farms. More

Job Experts: NCAA Tourney No Excuse to Slack
from MSNBC
Chances are if you work in an office, you have participated in a NCAA March Madness pool. But with the economy in a slump, this might not be the best time to take your focus off work. A recent study by business consulting firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas conservatively estimated the tournament costs nearly US$4 billion to U.S. businesses because of workplace interruptions. More

Qatar Sprouts a Towering Cactus Skyscraper
from Inhabitat
The Minister of Municipal Affairs & Agriculture (MMAA) in Qatar is getting a brand new office building that takes the form of a towering cactus. Designed by Bangkok-based Aesthetics Architects, the modern office and adjoining botanical dome take cues from cacti and the way that they successfully survive in hot, dry environments. More

Recession Cools Solar Energy Growth
from Reuters
The U.S. solar energy industry expanded in 2008, but the recession has cut demand for some solar installations, according to a solar trade group. Solar capacity in the United States rose about 9 percent, or 1,265 megawatts, to 8,775 megawatts last year, the Solar Energy Industries Association said in a summary of an annual report. More

Green Building Industry Should Focus on Long-term Benefits, Expert Says
from BusinessWeek
Proponents of green buildings have a long list of persuasive arguments they can use to convince clients and developers that green is the way to go: Build green, and your employees will be healthier, happier, and more productive! Build green, and you will use less water and energy, benefit your local environment, and promote global environmental responsibility! Build green, and you will save money over the long term! More

Workplace Wellness Programs Fare Well During Economic Downturn, According to Survey
from Market Watch
Many employers are increasing their employee wellness communications and most expect wellness budget cuts will be no greater than other cutbacks, because these programs help employees cope with issues brought about by the economic downturn. These are among the survey findings released today by Buck Consultants, an ACS company and one of the world's leading human resource and benefits consulting firms. More

China: Developers Hope to Avoid ‘Skyscraper Curse’
from China Daily
Hoping to avoid the "skyscraper curse," China's cities continue to reach for the sky. While most of the world's major construction projects have been put on hold, new skyscrapers are under construction in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and several smaller cities, defying the global economic slowdown. More

Agencies Divide Alternative-Energy Oversight Offshore
from The Washington Post
The Interior Department and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will divide responsibility for regulating offshore alternative energy sources such as wind and wave power, ending an interagency turf battle. More